Blue collar approach

Just another day at the office
(Photo credit to the owner)

The Philippine Basketball Association is a showcase of Filipino basketball talent, skill and athleticism. It is a league wherein mere mortals are turned God-like, idolized by many and legends are formed. It rewards those who shine brightest, sure, but it also gives notice and praise to those who work in the shadows.

One look at the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup league statistics and you will be very surprised to see two non-household names making huge waves for their respective teams. On one side is the Mahindra Enforcers' Mark Yee (18mpg 12 ppg 10rpg) and on the other is Barako Bull Energy's Willie Wilson (36mpg 13ppg 10rpg). Both under-rated and definitely far from being part of their team's offensive sets. They will never really make the headlines (unless Yee opts to get his Hokage on again and use that special pwet ninjutsu of his), so please allow us this much Internet space to show them some of our basketball geek affection.

Let us start with Yee, the pride of Sagay City, Negros Occidental who went undrafted in 2008 but was signed by the Burger King Whoppers. (We are not sure if it was by Yeng Guiao, who coached the team in 2009, but if it were then that would explain it all now wouldn't it?)

Yee has made a name for himself as a gritty enforcer who is quick and athletic enough to cover the 3 position when needed. Though he does not possess much offensive skill, he is competent enough to make open shots, bunnies and the occassional free throws. One thing we love about Yee is that though he appears to be quite a loose cannon and hot head, we have never seen him go after any of his coaches or the officials (like most guys of his "stereotype" would).

This season, he is playing his role to a perfect "T" for a talented yet young Mahindra side. No, he is not pulling guys aside and telling them how to run a proper play like most well-journeyed vets do. He is going out there and basically telling his younger teammates to not be afraid of their opponents and to just play their game. Intimidation goes a long way in basketball, and it always pays to have a guy who does not wilt or bat an eyelash when push comes to shove standing right by your side.

Then there is Wilson.

"Selfless" would probably be the best way to describe Wilson's basketball mindset.

Having watched him during his college years in DLSU, Wilson has always been about the team. He plays honest defense, sets sturdy screens, scores mostly on freebies awarded to him by teammates or won through offensive rebounding and never, EVER complains or whines.

Okay, he does have that whiny/ disgusted face but that is about as much emotion as you can get from the hard-working 15th overall pick of the 2004 PBA Draft.

Wilson is a career 18 mpg 5ppg 5rpg guy but is now enjoying his best run yet with Barako under head coach Koy Banal. Thanks mostly to the team's lack of go-to bigs, Wilson is averaging an insane 36 minutes per game which is probably the most he has played for any team at any point in his TV basketball career as far as we can remember.

Sure, both guys' numbers will probably take a hit once the import-laden conferences come into play. Hell, these stats may just be an anomaly of sorts, and that Wilson will go back to playing 15-18 minutes and averaging 5 and 5, while Yee will be glued to the bench once the Mahindra young bigs start maturing but if there is anything to learn from the two, it is that hard work always pays off.

Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard.