Barako Bull needs work

Forgive me for dismissing Barako Bulls' chances in tonight's game versus the Petron Blaze Boosters (which as of this writing is at a lopsided 93-74), but it's pretty clear that the Bulls' need a lot of work to even deserve being called a "darkhorse" in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Willie Miller, tagged as the "prodigal son/ franchise player," looks heavier than before and was being beaten to the dribble by every single Petron guard down both ends of the floor. His backcourt partner, Wynne Arboleda, showed flashes of his old "snatcher" self but his feet couldn't match his hand speed. Truth be told, back-up Paul Artadi ran the floor better and even spearheaded the Bulls' 3rd quarter run.

Sunday Salvacion enjoyed a great game as did free agent acquisition Jondan Salvador who bruised his way inside the paint. I feel that if the Bulls' are serious in wanting to contend, then Salvador should be given a more featured role as their premiere postman.

Speaking of postmen, Salvador's partner-in-crime Mick Pennisi more than outdid himself by playing almost exclusively down below. I swear that since his days with Red Bull Batang Thunder, I have never seen Pennisi play in the paint as much as he did in this game. Blame it on being traded and wanting to prove himself, but I'm going out on a limb here and say that if Pennisi continues playing inside, then he'll be a shoo-in as one of the league's best centers.

Head coach Junel Baculi went with Danny Seigle and rookie Allein Maliksi off the bench, but only Maliksi enjoyed success versus the vaunted Petron defense which has gotten stingier with their own rookie Chris Lutz.

Based on the names on the Bulls' roster, they should consider playing a more slowed-down, old school, grind-it-out game. They don't have the luxury of speed other than Artadi and Maliksi, and their veterans will surely benefit from that style of play.

On a side note, I feel bad for SMART Gilas alumna and rookie Dylan Ababou who failed to get his ass off the Bulls' bench (a role he has been accustomed to since his post-UST days). I blame it more on him being an average Swiss-blade type of player. He's not as good as Roel Hugnatan, but that's where his game is or was headed.

I don't see Ababou as a main man of a winning team, but a do-it-all forward that can fill in gaps much like Tony dela Cruz was before he worked on his jumpshot. For his sake, I hope he continues to work on his game and crack Baculi's rotation.