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| Hey Coach Glen, let the kids play! |
Expect David to burn the twine yet again alongside 2x PBA MVP Willie Miller and the 2012 PBA Draft "steal"Jason Deutchman-- these three guys can all bury the shot from deep all day when given the go signal. But that's not where we're going with in tonight's entry. We'd like to focus more on the wishy-washy handling of the rotation and the players that are starting to get more minutes on the floor.
First up is the newly-signed veteran point guard Al Vergara. We're not going to question Vergara's skillset, because he's always been solid and steady in his stints in the amateurs and even the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). What we're going to question quite openly is how he is eating into the minutes of rookie AJ Mandani.
See, we all thought that Vergara was brought in to supplant trigger happy point guard Rudy Lingganay. Lingganay, as clutch as he may seem, appears to have a problem creating scoring opportunities for his teammates (his natural instinct is to take the shot when he can't make any correct pass instead of waiting, instructing and creating like elite, traditional PGs do). Vergara isn't a scorer, he's a creator. So we're good with that. He gives up a lot of size, yes, but he has veteran savvy and is an under-rated defender.
Mandani on the other hand, was making a name for himself while playing alongside Miller at the backcourt. Miller takes care of the scoring load, Mandani does all of the things you'd love to see from a rookie PG. He hustles, plays tough defense and isn't afraid of taking (and making shots).
Like Talk 'n' Text's Ryan Reyes minus the sweet stroke from deep, rebounds and baby fat.
Then, there's the whole deal with Rabeh Al Hussaini. We get it. The team has probably had enough of the spoiled brat's childish and unprofessional approach to the PBA. Why Coach Glen Capacio denies himself the fortune of pairing Deutchman and Vic Manuel at the frontline with maybe a Rommel Adducul or Jondan Salvador to plug in the C position is intriguing at best.
Let Deutchman play the Mick Pennisi role (center on defense, sets screens up top and waits for the open look at three on offense) while Manuel plays the paint where he's most comfortable with. We're not fond of seeing "The Muscle" patrolling the perimeter, or of him dribbling for more than 4 precious shotclock seconds.
This is the same team that opted to start some Raymundo character in the franchise's first PBA game. They didn't field in their talented troika of rookies: Manuel-Deutchman-Mandani not until the 4th quarter. They've sat arguably their best perimeter defender (Mandani) in favor of under-sized PGs Vergara and Lingganay. They still don't know how to draw plays for Miller and David-- unable to recognize which players could play around their superstar duo (we'd go with Miller at PG, Mandani at SG, David at SF, Manuel at PF and Deutchman at C).
If you're a Batang Pier fan you'd want the rookies to get more time on the floor. David will always be David, Miller has clearly been the catalyst and barometer for this team. The rest is up to the bench and coaching staff if they can make it work in time for the second conference (don't expect a miracle this time around, 1-8 holes are just too tough to come back from).
In my opinion, they should have not traded Casio for Miller. Or if the management really wanted Miller in the team, they should have traded someone else instead of Casio. Jvee, in comparison with either Vergara or Mandani, definitely knows more the skills of Miller and David. And thus, he will then create better plays for Miller and David.
ReplyDeleteThe problem of Batang Pier is that they do not have a really good PG at this moment. A point guard who can create brilliant plays for hotshot scorers like David and Miller.
And oh, they also do not have a good rebounder. Trade Rabeh for someone else who is willing to grab and grab and grab and grab the rebounds. Someone who can and is willing to dominate the paint.
the only consolation i feel with GlobalPort doing so poorly, is that Gary David has now gotten his rest while he was injured... they will most likely be eliminated, so he cud giv more time for Gilas on Jan....
ReplyDeletecorrect me if i'm wrong, but i think i read somewhere that Gilas has 2 tournaments on Jan, right?
JV Casio is a big lost for this team, Vergara over Mandani or Lingganay is crazy, they should trade Rabeh for someone who can play inside and perimeter and look for someone who can coach
ReplyDeleteThat's my opinion.....
Mikee Romero is a puppet,we are now seeing his true colors. He aint here to win, he's here to get his money.
ReplyDeleteABL boys Bogart Raymundo,Marvin Cruz and now Al Vergara. No offense but Looks like coach Glenn Capacio likes to play busts or PBA rejects.
ReplyDeleteMandani needs to start as SG that's really where his position is you can tell he's playing the P.G. position to help out his team but if you look back into his playing in the states or Canada he's a natural scorer let him play SG
ReplyDelete