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| Ang Tumanda, Higa. |
Though the Barako Bull Energy are still in the Governor's Cup semis hunt with a respectable 3-3 win-loss slate, their collective inconsistency shouldn't be taken lightly. Not with 2x PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller looking every bit like the 35-year-old that he is, Danny Seigle once again out of commission and Mick Pennisi also on a downward spiral.
Clearly, Father Time remains as the only unbeaten entity of all of professional sports and last conference's inspiring run by the "Manong Brigade" might have been this team's last push at greatness. With the loss of gritty guard Wyne Arboleda and "hulk smash" rebounding brute Dorian Pena to trades, the Energy are struggling to find balance with its younger looking team.
Credit goes to management for recognizing the lack of firepower and bringing in high scoring import LeRoy Hickerson (who was averaging an insane 35 points early but was held to "only" 24 points on 24 attempts in this afternoon's loss to Rain or Shine). Problem is, they don't have the guys to play defense in the perimeter and that hurt their chances. Ronald Tubid, the team's lone, healthy star, also struggled and they had to rely on new recruit Doug Kramer and under-sized yet under-rated forward Leo Najorda.
Perhaps it's time for Coach Junel Baculi to turn the team around and commit to the development of his younger guys: Najorda and Kramer are as solid as you can get down low, Jimbo Aquino is still part of the roster last time I checked and there are other names such as Shawn Weinstein, Sunday Salvacion and Carlo Sharma that you could count on from time to time.
Priority should be given to finding a solid point guard who can supplant Miller going ahead. Yes, it's hard to really invest so much in this team since they're pretty much San Miguel Corporation's trade buddy. Sorry for the profanity but that's just the truth.
Time to go young and start building. That, or someone tell Danny Seigle a fresh new max contract is waiting for him if he does another Commish Cup resurgence.
i watched the game live last sunday and really the rotation junel have now does not work, it did a game or two but now his bench, miller included is not delivering.tubid is still more effective coming off the bench and miller having to come from the bench and sometimes play point is affecting his shot attempts. sharma looks lost and while cervantes had some moments(a three point play)he was an eye sore on the court even fans behind me is cursing the guy and was yelling to give najorda the extended minutes than play reil. sunday is getting benched but i feel he is an additional weapon they could use in favour of reil who is really raw. they also took in al vergara but is not an upgrade to the current point guard rotation they already have. they are really getting outplayed whenever their bench comes in so i hope junel finally make adjustments because right now they still have a fighting chance to move to the next round
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