Shell back on track - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

For Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, the worst is over in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Or at least, he hopes so.

Last season, the Turbo Chargers looked like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight as Ronquillo’s boys posted a forgettable 9-24 record, the lowest point in franchise history. Since Shell broke into the PBA in 1985, it hadn’t won less than 14 games.

Ronquillo probably never imagined Lady Luck could be so cruel. To think that only in the previous two campaigns, he was voted Coach of the Year, the first to be honored back-to-back since the PBA Press Corps instituted the award in 1993.

To make matters worse, the memory of Ronquillo’s first PBA title must have still been fresh in his mind. Ronquillo piloted Shell to the 1998 Governors Cup crown, breaking a championship drought of 20 conferences dating back to 1992. And he steered the Turbo Chargers to the All-Filipino throne the next season to stamp his class among the league’s elite.

Then the roof caved in. In a twist of fate, Ronquillo’s star Benjie Paras — the 1999 MVP — missed 22 games and appeared in only 11 as Shell failed to play beyond the eliminations in each conference last year. The tailspin wasn’t only startling — it was humiliating.

In the All-Filipino, Paras was in and out of the lineup because of injuries, Gerry Esplana couldn’t play 100 percent, Rommel Santos was lost for the season after a brilliant start, and Tony de la Cruz skipped the last six games to reenroll at the University of California-Irvine. Paras played only a game in the Commissioner’s Cup and Shell fell deeper into a rut despite John Best’s return. And in the Governors Cup, the Turbo Chargers lost their last six outings to crash out of contention with a whimper.

From Cloud Nine, Ronquillo fell back to earth. The thud reverberated throughout the league.

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But Ronquillo, 35, refused to roll over and die. That’s not his style. Before this season began, at least two PBA teams secretly inquired if he could break out of his Shell contract which expires this year. He hadn’t lost his magic despite the oil spill at Shell. Maybe, Ronquillo could’ve wiggled out of a losing proposition and jumped ship but again, that’s not his style. He doesn’t give up easily — he owed it to Shell to bring it back to the top.

In the offseason, Ronquillo rolled up his sleeves and got down to business. He brought in Rob Wainwright from Sta. Lucia Realty and resurrected Jojo Lim from the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). He let go of Jay Mendoza, Santos, and Brix Encarnacion then took a chance on Mike Hrabak in the draft.

Hrabak was dubbed the draft’s Mystery Man. Ronquillo never saw him play but at 6-7, Hrabak had to amount to something. As the saying goes, you don’t teach height. So when Shell’s turn came in the first round of the draft, Ronquillo tapped Hrabak as the second overall pick.

In five games so far, Hrabak has blown hot and cold, averaging 7.2 points. He’s hit only 16-of-44 for a lowly .364 clip from the floor. Hrabak’s shot selection has made fans wonder if Ronquillo is regretting his choice.

Ronquillo said he has no regrets. "Give him one or two more years and he’ll be fine," he noted. "He’s got a lot of potential. He doesn’t back down from anyone, not even from a big guy like (Bonel) Balingit."

Shell jumped to a 3-1 start this season before losing to Pop Cola, with Paras in sick bay, the other night. Ronquillo said it’s nice to win again — he’s certainly missed the feeling.

"Benjie’s back and that’s a big factor," he said. "It’s our defense that’s carrying us. Our defense fuels our offense. We like to play deliberate. That takes a lot more discipline than playing transition."

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Ronquillo said the big difference is Shell’s depth. Now, he has more options on players. Esplana, for instance, comes off the bench. "Gerry’s accepted his new role," he continued. "What a lift he gives us — he comes in and starts posting up the other team’s first guard who by that time is tiring out."

De la Cruz, added Ronquillo, sets the tone at practice because he works so hard. "Tony’s just got to relax a little more and get rid of the anxiety," he said. De la Cruz is off to a shaky start, scoring only seven points in five games. But like Hrabak, he’s expected to come around, sooner or later.

Wainwright is a key addition to Ronquillo’s rotation. Offensively, he’s a threat inside or outside. He’s a reliable finisher and a tough defender, too. Besides, Wainwright is a vacuum cleaner off the boards and relieves Chris Jackson of the rebounding load, allowing him to concentrate on defense.

Dale Singson has gained more confidence as the club’s starting quarterback, knowing if he stumbles, Esplana can pick up the pieces. Jun Marzan continues to be a steadying force in Ronquillo’s second unit and is a tested stopper. And Mark Telan provides versatility at three positions.

After only four weeks into the season, Shell has already won three games — only six shy of equaling its total last year. Ronquillo is learning how to smile again.