Life after Petron

Different jersey, same game.
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

When Anthony “Jay” Washington first came into the local basketball scene, people noticed him more for him being LeBron James’ “kalokalike” in more ways than one. Not only did he resemble the Basketball Hall of Fame bound NBA superstar, but he also played the game in an almost similar way (with James’ playing it inter-galactic, across the universe, notches higher of course).

So when the Talk’n’Text Tropang Texters (2006-2008) and later on San Miguel Beermen now Petron Blaze Boosters (2008-2013) took him to the fold, you just knew that this guy was special—special in the sense that he could decide the outcome of any game in whatever capacity or role is given him.

A career 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists hybrid forward, Washington is coming off a “divorce” of sorts with Petron where he enjoyed a two-three year stretch of dominance before falling out of the rotation no thanks to injuries and having to play alongside reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos who more or less operates in the same avenue as Washington.

This season he’s with his third PBA team, plying his trade for the Global Port Batang Pier as one of its cornerstones and no longer under any threat of playing alongside any Arwind Santoses. Two games in and he’s already putting up PBA MVP numbers of 19 points and 13 rebounds while not being the obvious focal point of the Batang Pier offense. Yes, Washington gets his lion’s share of touches, but most of the time he’s working off scorers Sol Mercado and hotshot, wild-haired rookie Terrence Romeo.

The great thing about Washington’s life as a Batang Pier is that no one is putting the pressure on him to deliver. Yes, he’s one of the more established names on the roster, but we have yet to hear from Batang Pier Boss Mikee Romero or even neophyte head coach Richie Ticzon about Washington being the guy to set the tone or deliver in the crunch.

Also, the 6”7 Eckerd College alumnus is able to simply concentrate on basketball, get the touches he wants and play the way he does. Unlike in Petron wherein he was asked to become the new age Danny Seigle while still doing a little bit of everything, here he’s just one of the guys—only more gifted than the next guy around his size.

So yes, there is “life after Petron” for Washington unlike former teammates/ peers Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena, Olsen Racela and even Dondon Hontiveros who have either bounced around the league or had drama to deal with.

The way he’s been playing, just being efficient and working the glass, if there’s a sudden opening for a Gilas Pilipinas spot and Kelly Williams health is still an issue (and provided that Washington’s citizenship papers is clear) then yes, this guy deserves a tryout.