Trust the system

Ang bagong tanod
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

This is no longer your father's Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

The plays are not as simple as dumping it into the post, having one guy dribble the air out of the basketball for the Michael Jordan play or just relying on pure, helter-skelter, hit or miss we'll take it offensive "sets" of the storied Robert Jaworski, Sr. era that won more on heart and passion for the game rather than deploying an educated enough strategy to neutralize the opponent.

This is Jeffrey Cariaso's Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. They are in the process of running the complex triple post offense commonly known as the Triangle Offense. And for once, they don't look like an undisciplined lot waiting for a savior.

See, this is the new era of basketball. Where it's never enough to just have two to three guys who can score while the others watch and wait for scraps. No, everyone on the floor needs to be a threat to win against the elite teams. This is where we separate the skillset of yesterday's superstars and those of today.

Before, you can have a superstar try and carry his team Nelson Asaytono style-- or quite frankly, former PBA MVP and Ginebra's resident heart and soul Mark Caguioa's scoring bursts. This is usually enough to win games, hell, it's enough to win titles by adding a sidekick or two (Jayjay Helterbrand, Eric Menk).

Today, looking at the teams that have constantly won so much, and you're looking at superstars who know how to play with other superstars. Stars who can keep others involved in the offense. Stars who know enough that basketball is a lot easier (and fun) when guys just get to their sweet spots and wait their turn rather than forcing the issue time and again.

Looking at the numbers, L.A. Tenorio, the man deemed as next in line to the Jaworski-Caguioa throne, is struggling. From leading his team in assists and some times in scoring, his numbers have dipped to lows of THREE assists a game this young PBA Governor's Cup conference.

We expect it to be a lot higher soon, but for now, it's pretty obvious that there's a transition of sorts going on inside Ginebra.

The great thing about it, is that no one's stomping their foot on plays or whining about not getting any end game minutes.

Because they're winning. Because of the Triangle.

Because of Cariaso, and the level of professionalism that he has brought into the fold lost in the former hierarchy of team manager Alfrancis Chua and former head coach Ato Agustin who looked more like an odd buddy cop comedy last conference while deferring to unproven assistant Juno Sauler (they were THAT desperate, to entrust the team to an assistant who was coming off a UAAP Seniors title and nothing more at the pro level).

Now in case you're still in denial. This is not Tenorio's team. Not even Caguioa's.

With all due respect, it is now Slaughter's.

The shoo-in for this season's PBA Rookie of the Year (and should their good fortune continue this conference, possibly MVP top 1-2 candidate) is the guy who will carry the team to the future. They can always get shooters, stars, enforcers and what not. But Slaughter is the clear cut gem for Ginebra and so far, he hasn't disappointed.

His great feel for the game, is allowing his teammates to shine.

This isn't the same setup with San Miguel wherein rival Junemar Fajardo is the focal point of the offense. This is a smarter approach to it.

While Fajardo is busy doing his one-on-one thing, looking like the Pinoy Shaq, Slaughter is doing it in Tim Duncan fashion-- making great reads, playing the high post, and just working the boards. He doesn't get as gassed out as Fajardo, because he knows when to score and when to look for his shooters. Fajardo is the better individual talent, yes, but on a team, Slaughter has the higher team IQ and it is being maximized by the triangle.

If Ginebra plays it cards right, then they really have a bright future with Cariaso and Slaughter leading the way.