On the shoulder of giants

Emman Monfort stands tall
(Photo courtesy of PBA InterAKTV)

In a decade long war,  an army already on the losing end lies in wait. Grizzled veterans, keeping an eye out on any semblance or opportunity for greatness. Underlings, green and raw, bold and battle crazy looking to make a name for themselves.

One of them watches the trenches, waiting for daylight. One of them breathes in the thick and heavy air of dawn, unshaken, unnerved. His name is Emman Monfort, he of the Barako Bull Energy Cola, drafted and almost forgotten because of his diminutive 5"7 frame and limited skill set. He was over-looked because at the time, he deserved to be. He was picked 16th overall in the 2012 PBA Draft because there were more established collegiate names before him. All that was really going for him was his Ateneo de Manila University pedigree, the winning tradition, the championships.

All eyes on the Fireball

The Fireball's running away
with the ball in Rajko's system

Let's get one thing straight: contrary to popular belief, we are actually closet supporters of Barako Bull Energy's Josh "The Fireball" Urbiztondo.

We've written entries about him not being the prototypical point guard, and that he is pretty much the Fil-Am version of shoot-first, pass-later local floor generals Celino Cruz and Rudy Lingganay. But underneath all that, we have no gripes against him having been a former Santa Lucia Realtor (and we always show love to our departed Realtors franchise personnel no matter where they are or go).

Okay, back to Urbiztondo and how he has emerged under the dreaded "Rajko System" of former national team head coach and now Energy team consultant Rajko Toroman. At the moment, Urbiztondo is averaging a league 3rd-best 17+ points (behind premier scorers Mark Caguioa of Ginebra and Gary David of Global Port), 7th best 4.4 assists and 2nd-best 1.8 steals. A chink on his armour of course, that pretty much cancels out his assist averages are his turnovers which is a league-worst 4.2.