All eyes on the Fireball

The Fireball's running away
with the ball in Rajko's system

Let's get one thing straight: contrary to popular belief, we are actually closet supporters of Barako Bull Energy's Josh "The Fireball" Urbiztondo.

We've written entries about him not being the prototypical point guard, and that he is pretty much the Fil-Am version of shoot-first, pass-later local floor generals Celino Cruz and Rudy Lingganay. But underneath all that, we have no gripes against him having been a former Santa Lucia Realtor (and we always show love to our departed Realtors franchise personnel no matter where they are or go).

Okay, back to Urbiztondo and how he has emerged under the dreaded "Rajko System" of former national team head coach and now Energy team consultant Rajko Toroman. At the moment, Urbiztondo is averaging a league 3rd-best 17+ points (behind premier scorers Mark Caguioa of Ginebra and Gary David of Global Port), 7th best 4.4 assists and 2nd-best 1.8 steals. A chink on his armour of course, that pretty much cancels out his assist averages are his turnovers which is a league-worst 4.2.

Despite having point guard Jonas Villanueva on the same roster, Urbiztondo has quickly risen up the ranks to take on the role as team star. While the Rajko System calls for its players to always be in motion and make the extra pass, the guy who has the ball in his hands and makes the big plays has been Urbiztondo (with import Evan Brock being the 2nd choice).

While Urbiztondo still has episodes of him just chucking up wild, near half-court threes in the mold of a young Jimmy Alapag, the Energy will just have to live with it considering he is the team's best threat from deep. We're loving the whole Villanueva at the 1 and Urbiztondo at the 2 since the former is a more polished point guard having been a champion in the amateurs at that spot while Urbiztondo is better fit as a combo-guard type. Villanueva also allows Urbiztondo to concentrate on scoring while he defends the opposing team's two-man (read: switch on assignments).

Hopefully, Urbiztondo is able to keep the turnovers in check and just stick to making the correct plays-- that, or have his backcourt buddy Villanueva set him up for threes. Maybe they can also explore some pick-and-pop options for the Fireball.