Revival

Remember when RDO, today's best Pinoy big man,
was left off the national team years back?
It's because of Kerby. And Kerby's reminding us why.

There's something in the air...

... it stands tall amidst the deafening chants of over 14,000 strong, most of which wear red, black and white proudly as colors. It is enough to rejuvenate tired old bones, wounded and almost forgotten army generals who once stood proud at the forefront of several conquests.

Out of the ashes the forgotten arose, defying the hands of time, ignorant of the way of the basketball. This is a new era, where athletes come in droves taller, bigger, faster and highly trained with new knowledge shared faster and more simpler. The old guards are supposed to stand aside, they're supposed to know their place as they have already paid their dues and paved the way for the next generation as those before them.

But not these soldiers, or at the very least, not yet.

Kerby Raymundo, the 32-year-old, 6"6 power forward for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was rumored to be on his way out after an abysmal showing. There were games in which he seemed to be out of it, despite being force-fed the basketball. After a tremendous and illustrious PBA career that started when he was all but 19 years of age (2nd youngest to enter the league), the man touted as "The Kid" was suddenly out of place at an "old" 32.

Once the proud anchor of the Purefoods/BMeg/San Mig Coffee franchise, Raymundo was sent off to Ginebra with nary a whimper. Expectations were high because of his name, but the season prior Raymundo was battling injuries and looked every bit of it on the court. This didn't help his case with Ginebra, a team that thrives on high-octane basketball with a bunch of under-sized power forwards who hustle more than play with back-to-the-basket, fundamental skill.

But when Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua took over, Raymundo found daylight. Enough daylight to warm his aching body and weakening bones. The itch of being "the Man" was there, but his team didn't need him to be that player. They already had reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa at the helm. They needed help down low.

In the eliminations, Raymundo showed flashes by averaging 7 points and 4 rebounds in only 14 minutes of burn. He was starting to get into the flow of things, Chua and point guard L.A. Tenorio started looking for him a little bit more despite the presence of tall imports. Vernon Macklin soon arrived and opened the floor for Raymundo even further going into the playoffs.

Against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters wherein Raymundo was giving up xx in pounds to his counterparts, the "Kid" held his own in double the minutes on the floor. He produced 14 points and hauled down 8 rebounds in an increased 30 minutes of action. Not only could the opponent not double on Macklin because of Ginebra's shooters (Tenorio, Josh Urbiztondo and Jayjay Helterbrand), but the forwards couldn't help as well as Raymundo was a sure two points every time down the weak side of the paint.

While you can't question the heart and hustle of veterans Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, Willy Wilson or even Rico Maierhofer-- they do not have even half of Raymundo's offensive arsenal with the basketball. He can catch and pull up for the long to mid-range jumper as a high post option on the weak side, he can break down slower bigs with his dribble-penetration game (the escape from Talk 'n' Text's 7"0 import Jerome Jordan in the 4th quarter finished with a high angle reverse that just swooshed the net was Jordanesque) and on occasion (when the body's willing), can bang down low and score in the traditional back-to-the-basket sense.

As a fan of Philippine basketball, we can't help but appreciate and laud Raymundo's revival with Ginebra. Hopefully, we see more of the "Kid" and that when he does decide to stand back and let the young bloods play, that he does so with a multitude of recognition and rings.