Rasheed blazes trail - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

PORTLAND, Oregon – Rasheed Wallace never promised the Toronto Raptors a Rose Garden. The former University of North Carolina star (just like Mike) led the Portland Trail Blazers to a rousing 95-88 win over the Raptors in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game at the Rose Garden here Wednesday night.

When the Raptors narrowed the gap to four with three minutes to go, Wallace personally took charge and hit seven straight points for the Blazers. There wasn’t much Toronto could do to stop the 6-11, 230-pound forward. Neither Kevin Willis nor Antonio Davis could hold him down. Charles Oakley could’ve helped but sat out the action on a suspension. Wallace finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

"He’s really raised the level of his game," said Portland coach Mike Dunleavy, quoted by Greg Boeck. "He’s always been a versatile defender. We thought he could become a better shot blocker because of his length and quickness and a better rebounder on a permanent basis and more aggressive as the guy in the low post. In all three of those areas, he’s really picked up his game. I think he’ll be in the MVP hunt because his game is an all-around game and his versatility is so great. He’s an outside shooter, he’s a low-post scorer. He’s a defender of guys on the perimeter and low post. He’s playing the total game."

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The four teenaged Letran high school players who won the Asian 3-on-3 title this year watched Wallace in action from Nike head Phil Knight’s box in Suite 36.

Billy Ray Anabo, 17, was awed by Wallace who soaked up long minutes on the floor and stuck the dagger deep into Toronto’s heart. The 6-2 Anabo plays power forward and center for Letran. Before Wallace caught his eye, Anabo said Vince Carter was his favorite NBA player. And he idolizes Ginebra’s Vergel Meneses.

RonJay Enrile, 18, closely watched how Toronto shooting guards Alvin Williams and Del Curry worked off picks to get good looks from outside. Enrile plays point and offguard. He’s known as a shooter and scorer, once hitting 52 points against Philippine College of Criminology in a Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL) game last season. Enrile polished his skills scrimmaging with the likes of Letran stars Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Erwin Velez, and Chris Calaguio even as a prepster.

Boyet Bautista, 17, wasn’t only impressed by Williams’ hot shooting but also by his defense. Williams knocked in 10 of his 17 points in the fourth period as the Raptors staged a late rally. And he limited Damon Stoudamire to a single triple in the final 12 minutes.

Ira Buyco, 16, liked Shawn Kemp’s smarts. The 6-3 center who hopes to someday play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), picked up pointers from Kemp on how to outsmart his defender – fishing for fouls, flopping, and using his body for position.

Letran’s Media Center head Fr. Jose Sibug, who accompanied the boys, said it was "an incredible experience" to watch an NBA game live. Fr. Sibug, 36, teaches TV production at the Intramuros school. He was ordained in 1993.

The trip was sponsored by Nike as the boys’ prize for capturing the 3-on-3 title.