Team Bully loses 4th straight

Uhm, Danny, me nakalimutan ka ata
 (Photo courtesy of Inquirer.Net)

After a mighty 3-1 romp to kickstart the PBA Commissioner's Cup, the Barako Bull Energy find themselves losing four in a row to drop near the bottom of the standings. This, despite having arguably one of the most brilliant basketball minds on the planet serving as team consultant (can't argue with his FIBA championship now) and a collection of players who are arguably near the All Star level.

While we will not question the "Rajko system" run by Coach Bong Ramos, we find that this team fell victim to their early hot start. That complacency started to creep in as well as over-confidence. When they were winning, they played great defense and moved the basketball to find the open man. In their losses, it was almost always Josh Urbiztondo or a Mark Macapagal and even a come-backing JC Intal who appears to be trying to win games all by their lonesome.

The easiest alibi to go with of course, is them having a (generously listed) 6"9 import in Evan Brock. While being blue collar as hell, Brock (19 points, 15 rebounds a game) isn't the type who can command double teams and dominate the game. A face-up finisher by trade, Brock finds it difficult to generate offense when teams start clogging the paint. Not to mention that three of the four teams that beat them (Ginebra, Petron, Talk 'n' Text) features guys who are just as big (if not bigger) than Brock down on the block.

And we won't even touch Brock's abysmal free throw percentage.

Another cause of concern is Danny Seigle. Yes, the numbers are eye-popping. Yes, he is playing like he's angling for a contract or at least a tryout with any interested team with his 12 points in 28 minutes average. But it's on the defensive end where Seigle is hurting the Energy the most as a slow-footed, non-rebounding power forward. With Brock and Mick Pennisi sharing frontline duties with Seigle, the Energy are arguably starting/ finishing games with only one competent rebounder and defensive presence.

Seigle is no longer the slashing, "shoot over you" small forward of San Miguel years-- let's make that clear. So when Coach Ramos goes with him at the 3, he's automatically slower than his defensive assignment. And when you try and slide Brock at the 3 with Seigle playing closer to the paint, he's just not as strong as the guy he's guarding (plus you're taking away Brock from the shaded lane).

Our longtime argument here since the beginning of the conference was for power forward Doug Kramer to get more minutes. The guy was the most consistent player for the Energy last conference when star Rico Villanueva went down because of injury. We understand that Coach Ramos (Rajko system) puts a premium on having shooters on the floor at all times, but there's always room for an enforcer down on the block with a nifty jumpshot.

Should the energy consider replacing Brock?

At this point, we'll have to say yes. If only to give this team a consistent offensive boost. Put Air21's Dunnigan or Ginebra's Macklin on this team and they'll run right through teams again. Urbiztondo will get the space he needs to launch his near-halfcourt threes and Seigle could play off the weak side like he always does. A legit low post presence could work wonders for this team really.

That, or the locals step up and break through the glass ceiling (Urbiztondo, Villanueva, Intal and Macapagal).