Barako Bull on the rise

Allein Maliksi gets another shot
at superstardom

The team that gets the most number of players is usually the winner of any or all professional transactions no matter the starpower involved. You could always argue in favor of whichever team gets to bring home the former league MVP or All Star, but at day's end, four solid rotation players is still better than a star who has hit the proverbial "glass ceiling" and an under-rated, under-sized four man.

Gone are Ronald Tubid, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez from the Barako Bull Energy's roster and in their place are former PBA Finals MVP Jonas Villanueva, UAAP Finals MVP Jojo Duncil, college star JC Intal and PBA D-League MVP Allein Maliksi. As you can see, the letters "MVP" are spread evenly among those young thoroughbreds and that they are all young, athletic, have legit basketball skills (except maybe for Intal who has yet to find a niche in the league thus the inconsistency). Villanueva can orchestrate and, given the minutes, belongs atop the PBA's best floor generals. Duncil is a clutch jumpshooter who has the size and speed to play the two spot. Intal is crazy athletic and can get streaky from time to time. Then there's the other guy, Maliksi-- who is making a "homecoming" of sorts to the team that drafted him last season, who can pretty much hold his own against the league's premier scorers from Gary David to Mark Caguioa.

Throw in mainstays Doug Kramer, Josh Urbiztondo and Sean Anthony plus new head coach Rajko Toroman and this could flat out be the breakthrough team for the coming PBA Commissioner's Cup. They have a solid import in former ABL Indonesia Warriors star Evan Brock, and don't forget that they still have serviceable veterans Danny Seigle and Mick Pennisi waiting in the wings (Rico Villauneva is also in the line-up but is out with a season-ending injury).

With Toroman, look for the Energy to run the floor, spread the offense and play more of a perimeter-oriented type of game with import Brock doing the dirty work down low. Spacing won't be a problem with this team given Urbiztondo, Maliksi, Duncil and even Pennisi's range-- we all know that Toroman loves his jumpshooters. Villanueva could also blossom under Toroman since he is a low profile, no frills type of point guard who makes the correct passes at all times and could be what Chris Tiu was for the Serbian national over at the old SMART Gilas squad.

PG Urbiztondo, SG Maliksi, SF Anthony, PF Kramer, C Brock

Not bad for a starting five right? Young, fearless (sorry Tubid fans) and out to prove their worth in the pros. Then there's Villanueva and Intal playing chief support so there will be a strong eight to nine man rotation for the Energy (Don Allado's on his way back right? If he is, he gets Kramer's starting spot which pretty much bolsters their bench even more with Intal and Kramer free to relive their UAAP days as a two-man combo).

Jury's out on Maliksi's injuries, and you have to be slightly concerned about what Coach Toroman will bring to the table-- if he ever gets there, heard the local coaches' association has some issue with the foreigner coaching on Philippine soil.

PS

Still can't figure out why Villanueva landed on the Energy's lap when a guy of his playmaking talent and defense could've been just what the doctor ordered for (erm sister team erm) Petron. Oh well.