A glimpse at the new-look Energy and Bolts
I watched a practice game between the Meralco Bolts and the Barako Bull Energy at the Meralco Gym yesterday morning. Due to the horrendous traffic, I missed the first quarter, but the three quarters I was able to watch were intense and physical, and by no means treated as a mere practice session by the players on the court, as well as the coaches. Referees from the PBA, led by Art Herrera, officiated, and the coaches worked them as though they were calling a regular game at the Big Dome.
The first player I encountered on my way to the bleachers was veteran guard Roger Yap on the Barako bench. I wasn't able to ask him if he already signed with Barako, but Coach Junel Baculi gave him a long look yesterday in the second half. Though unspectacular, he was steady as always. It took some time to get used to Enrico Villanueva wearing the Barako black. Sean Anthony was also very visible for the Energy, either with his stellar play on both ends of the floor, or barking out instructions and encouraging his teammates from the bench.
Anthony and Villanueva will surely boost the frontline of Barako. If yesterday's game was any indication, Anthony will not be a role player as he was with the Powerade Tigers. Yesterday, the offense ran through him in the halfcourt since he is a triple threat, showing his ability to hit the three, drive to the basket and finish, and dish the ball for open looks. Villanueva showed renewed vigor, going strong to the basket each time he got the ball in the paint, and even hit most of his free throws. Mick Pennisi provided his usual rebounding and defense, and hit a three point shot. Danny Seigle was not around.
Rookie guards Lester Alvarez and Emman Monfort got some playing time in the second quarter and showed how speedy they both can be. While I was surprised that Monfort got drafted to begin with, he showed me, and the small crowd in the gym, that he just might have a place in the PBA. On at least two occasions, he finished at the basket, evading the tall Meralco frontliners, and as usual, was flawless at the freethrow line.
For Meralco, Sol Mercado had the ball-handling chores in the absence of Chris Ross. Chris Timberlake backed up Mercado. Timberlake can orchestrate, but could not hit an outside shot all game long. Paul Artadi was there, but Coach Ryan Gregorio didn't utilize him, perhaps due to an injury. Jay-R Reyes was the main center for the Bolts, and he played well, collaring rebounds and scoring inside. Asi Taulava was sitting behind the Meralco bench since his contract with them expired at the end of last season. I learned late yesterday afternoon that Asi rejected the Meralco offer, perhaps signaling the end of his stint with them, and possibly the end of his great run in the PBA.
[RELATED: Taulava joins ABL's SMB team]
Reynel Hugnatan played strong, as usual, and, despite being a lefty, even hit a running right-hand semi-hook in the lane. Yousif Aljamal also showed some hustle. Rookie big man Kelly Nabong, an imposing sight, played shortly and hardly had a chance to show his wares. It was the fourth pick overall in the last Rookie Draft, Cliff Hodge, whom Gregorio used a lot and he did show some flashes of talent, was active on the boards, and hit his free throws. The big men of Barako made life hard for him, knocking him down several times, but he just got up and went back to work. Hodge looks like former La Salle and Ginebra player Elmer Lago, but his game is very different from Lago's. Unlike Lago who liked the outside shot, Hodge attacks the basket and tracks down loose balls.
Meralco had a very good second quarter and led by fifteen at the half, 48-33. Baculi stressed to his boys at the half that they needed to react more quickly defensively. The Energy took his advice to heart, as they started strong in the third quarter.
With barely five minutes gone by in the third, Barako trailed by only one, 51-50, energized by rookie Dave Marcelo. Marcelo showed his versatility. First, he ran the floor and finished on the break despite being challenged at the basket, then he dribbled the ball up-court, showcasing his ballhandling skills, and then he made a smart pass to a teammate for a shot. He also battled for rebounds inside and used his size well. He will surely be an asset for his team.
Doug Kramer was clearly in game condition as he ran up and down the court. He hit a couple of baskets and grabbed some rebounds. On one play, he and Bolt Gilbert Bulawan were battling inside and Kramer knocked him down. The referees did not call a foul, and Bulawan was visibly upset, wanting to go after Kramer. Thankfully, things did not escalate, but the incident confirmed that the players were serious about the game. Bulawan had a good game, though, hitting jumpers and playing good defense. I see his role on the Bolts expanding this coming season.
Gregorio sent in former Adamson Falcon Janus Lozada late in the third quarter, and he looked timid and a bit intimated. He was tasked to guard his former teammate Alvarez and had a hard time staying with the smaller man. With about five seconds left in the quarter, Lozada recovered a loose ball near the halfcourt line and immediately turned towards his basket and let fly. The ball sailed out of bounds with almost two seconds left on the clock, leaving everyone confused as to what Lozada just did. Clearly, he mistakenly thought that the buzzer was about to sound and rushed the shot. With a sheepish look, he immediately apologized to the Meralco bench.
Barako was up by five at the start of the fourth quarter, 75-70. Meralco's Mark Cardona decided to strut his stuff and hit his usual off-balance one-handers and finished on the break a couple of times. Mercado drove to the basket time and again and drew fouls resulting in free throws. Barako was unable to recover after losing its lead and started missing its shots. Meralco eventually got the victory by five, 103-98.
All in all, it was a sloppy game, though high in intensity. There were many missed free throws, especially for Barako. Coaches were trying out new players and it was clear some of the new guys were still feeling their way through. It was good to see some of the draftees show their wares, even though I was disappointed that Baculi did not field UP alumnus Woody Co, who was dressed for the game, but sat on the bench beside his former college teammate Paul Sorongon, who also did not play.
In the coming days, there will be more practice games at different venues all over the metro as the season nears and teams try to finalize their rosters in preparation for the opening of the 38th season of the PBA.
You can follow Charlie Cuna on Twitter @Charlie C.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
