Mark Bringas is finally on the FEU Tamaraws' UAAP roster. Bringas, who is nicknamed "Johnny Bravo" by his teammates (because he has a huge upper body but small and thin legs) will add a lot of toughness to the team that is expected by many to finally bring that UAAP Men's Basketball crown back to Morayta. He has this tough and mean streak in him that in my book makes him this team's enforcer. This dude will not hesitate to take on anyone anytime anywhere. And for now, that means looking after his teammates' backs.
But during yesterday's Fil Oil Tournament, the Tamaraws took it on the chin from the JRU Heavy Bombers 77-73 as they lapsed once more into endgame hi-jinks. The Tams fell to 3-2 while the Bombers went to 5-1. Rookie Terence Romeo drove against a taller phalanx of JRU defenders and missed badly in the game's final seconds.
It's a learning experience for Romeo but if you ask me, more than the learning, it's the chemistry. I was telling Coach Bert Flores yesterday that the more efficient backcourt for FEU would be team captain Jens Knuttel at point with RR Garcia at the 2-spot. Romeo might work out better alongside another guard. Of course, they will always mix depending on the game situation. But in the past few games, the team's output goes down when he is paired with Garcia. It's more of the decision making. Garcia got on the frosh yesterday and Romeo was fuming on the bench. This isn't saying the two do not get along. It's more of game frustration. With Knuttel running the show and playing safety, it allows RR to be more aggressive on the offensive end.
But Johnny Bravo -- very good interior defender. Must learn how to conserve his fouls. Him on the bench does not help Coach Glenn Capacio. Some in the team are against Al Ramos and JR Cawaling being off on national team duty because they are worried about team chemistry. But I don't really see a problem because the two do not demand the ball the way a benedict Fernandez or Mark Barroca do. I think they will blend in just fine. The question here as i've always reiterated is the team's mental toughness.
I believe that for the Tams, this would be their best starting unit -- Jens Knuttel and RR Garcia in the backcourt, Paul Sanga at the 3-spot, Reil Cervantes at the 4-spot, and Mark Bringas at center. Then the second unit would be Ping Exciminiano and Terence Romeo at the back, JR, Al, and Pipo at the frontcourt. Those fives complement each other well. But that's just my observation.
The game between FEU and JRU was plenty interesting. There are ties to both teams. The Heavy Bombers' Jay-R Bulangis and John Lopez came from FEU's Team B. Lopez though, if I am not mistaken, is balik-JRU. John Njei, one of the team's leaders is from Cameroon as is FEU's Pipo Noundou. Noundou began the wave of arrivals of Cameroonians ballers to the Philippines. Njei first went to FEU but moved to Shaw Boulevard when the team was loaded.
And speaking of Cameroonians, how about Joe Etame? Good thing you stayed there, bud (yes, he wanted to transfer to AdMU but we had to talk him out of it) because this team needs you. he is like the second coming of Sam Ekwe (but without the aggressiveness yet). He's got that soft touch around the basket and can defend the lane like nobody's business. He makes this team a contender. Imagine if Ariel Vanguardia had him last year!
And it's good to see Nate Matute getting some playing time and delivering. San Fo represent!
But where in the blue hell is Marvin Hayes? This guy has made the NCAA Mythical Five? Why isn't he playing? He looks ready to go. This guy is Mr. Extra Possession for JRU.
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