Monster-Bowles Returns

Monster Bowles and The Captain
having a moment

After a forgetful return/debut, San Mig Coffee Mixers import Denzel Bowles has powered the team to two consecutive victories including last night's impressive (yet foul-ridden) man-handling of the Global Port Batang Pier in an out-of-town sortie.

Though his rebounding numbers haven't rounded up to the 2012 version of himself, Bowles' is finding ways to contribute by mixing up his now more consistent mid-range game with his face-up moves to the basket. Batang Pier counterpart Justin Williams, who is reportedly on his way out thanks to a string of low scoring performances (hey, he's not the focal point of the offence, he's playing MAD defines, so what's your beef Coach Junel Baculi), was being tested to the hilt in more ways than one. To Williams' credit, he was putting in the work on the defensive end and blocking shots left and right.


Following in Bowles' lead were star guards PJ Simon and James Yap, pretty much benefiting from having a space-eating low to high post big man to play off of. Joe DeVance is also continuing to emerge as the team's third-best local option with his rare combination of height and heft to go along with his point-forward skills. His defense is laughable, but he gets away with it by simply being a couple of inches taller than the guy he's usually guarding (he had a hard time scoring though once the Batang Pier sent in pesky Mark Yee).

Though the end score, 91-84, hints at a close game-- the Mixers were never really threatened in the second half. Gary David started to wax hot after the half and Japeth Aguilar was showing off his range but for every three ball that they made/missed, they just couldn't make the necessary stops on the other end to really close the gap. Bowles sat out majority of the 3rd and 4th quarters, but the Batang Pier simply failed to go inside to their import Williams or even skilled back-to-the-basket bruiser Jondan Salvador.

Back to Bowles.

Right now, we're still not convinced that the Mixers can go all the way with him in tow. The reinforcements are just as big and quick-if not quicker such as the Alaska Aces' steady Robert Dozier and even Talk 'n' Text's Keith Benson (which they beat). There's also Rain or Shine's Euro-giant Bruno Sundov-- last season's Bowles would have no problem going around Sundov, but not this version who appears to have bulked up in mass and slowed down by a step or two.

Again, this all depends on how fast Mixers' head coach Tim Cone can get Bowles back in track-- the guy is coming off injury mind you.

On a side note, former Mixers' import Matt Rogers is doing quite well in the ABL with the San Miguel Beermen. Wonder if the team gave up on him a tad bit too early.