Prior to the Smart Gilas RP Team's sixth game of the tournament against Korea, during warmups, Rey Guevarra was dunking like crazy. First time he did that in this competition. He had been playing much better as he was finally grasping the intricacies of the team's system. It was hard for Rey early on not getting much playing time, but he stuck with it and kept his head up high.
In his best game so far, Guevarra did a little bit of everything. Including grabbing a loose ball after an errant pass that slipped passed RJ Jazul that he collared then skied for a freaking one-handed jam! CJ Giles bounded up and screamed, "Yo, booooooy!"
Man, all of us at the media section near went ape shit. Bwahaha!
Jayvee Casio has thrived playing backup point guard. In fact, it has not detracted from his scoring abilities as he has shown he could pretty much light them up. I have the post match interviews from Dylan, Jayvee, and Coach Rajko along with a lengthy interview with Chris Tiu. I also have interviews with the Lebanese Coach Fouad Abou Chakra and Jordan's Portuguese Coach, the great Mario Palma. Last night, I had quite a long chat with Coach Palma at the coffee shop where we spoke about hoops. I'll be writing something about him when I get back.
I think that has been one of the great sidelights of this experience. I've managed to befriend many of the other teams and can chat and hangout with them including Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, and Iran. The Middle Eastern ones have been most helpful and very gracious; always eager to talk and even share food. Hmm. I'm going to put on some added weight here. Bwahahaha!
I also made a lot of friends in the international media from India to Lebanon to Indonesia and Iran.
But back to the team.
JR Cawaling doesn't always dominate the box score and he always finds ways to help. That is why he starts for this team as Rajko (pronounce it this way Rai-ko) Toroman knows and sees his potential. At the start of the fourth quarter yesterday versus Korea, JR's three consecutive assists were truly superb passes; not your typical pass then the recipient shoots. Nope. That bounce pass from the right side of the court went through two Korean defenders that found Jayvee cutting in for a deuce. The others including his wrap around pass -- damn!
Mac Baracael is a fountain of energy for this team. The way he has played since joining this team, it does not compare to what he showed while with FEU. Undersized for a power forward, I see now what Toroman has been saying. It's the quality of the player. I never thought that Mac would be fun to watch but you just have to see this guy. He is freaking awesome! He plays like his idol Scottie Pippen and after games, he switches jerseys and wear's Pip's Bulls #33. In one match he was fouled on the way up. That was tough because he nearly stuffed it in with a mighty one-handed throwdown.
Mark Barroca. We we table mates last night in our nightly laptop chat sessions. He expressed happiness playing for this team. "Ito ang best ko ever," he admits. It's the system and his teammates. The whole experience has been one big dream for him here. I'd say he should make the Mythical Selection here. Anyone else would be a joke.
CJ Giles has been a magnificent teammate for the guys. A bundle of energy and laughs too. He has fit in quite well for this team. Last night's chat session, he was yakking with someone in Las Vegas. Coincidentally the Ateneo Blue Eagles were in practice and we could see them in the webcam. Hahahaha.
When people ask why is it that the team has only one American reinforcement that is because Toroman wants to give more playing time to Filipinos. Will CJ be naturalized? Time will tell.
The team will go to Manila for a few days for some rest then head to Japan for four exhibition games versus the Japanese National Team. After their consecutive emotional wins against Lebanon and Kuwait, FIBA Asia was so impressed (as was Japan) that they invited the team to visit and to pay for all their expenses!
Except that the only ones not making the trip will be RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra who now have to return to playing for Letran in the NCAA.
Jason Ballesteros had a near two-handed stuff but was fouled too! Jason's nickname... Gagamba Boy. And Dylan Ababou is "Hercules!" You have to ask Mac Baracael why. He's the official jokester around these parts. Ho-kay! Eka nga ni Rey, "May sariling tono si Baracael." Bwahahaha!
When at the team bus, I usually share seats with Dylan or Rey. Once in a while JR or the tall dudes Greg Slaughter and CJ who own the way back back seats.
More notes on the team soon.
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