Bayno disciple in Purefoods

It makes you wonder why Talk ‘N Text coach Bill Bayno didn’t hire Warren Rosegreen to play for the Phone Pals in the Samsung Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

Rosegreen, 28, played two years for Bayno at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). As a junior in 1995-96, Rosegreen averaged 11.5 points, a Big West Conference-high 9.5 rebounds, and 31.8 minutes as Bayno piloted the Runnin’ Rebels to a 10-16 record in his first season at the varsity’s helm. Rosegreen led the Rebels with 10 double-doubles. He shot a creditable 54.2 percent from the floor but a miserable 49.4 percent from the line–it’s not often a player shoots more accurately from the field than the stripe.

At UNLV, Bayno had this to say about Rosegreen: "His job is to rebound. We’re going to need him to be a Dennis Rodman, nothing else. We need him to be our warrior."

In 1996-97, Rosegreen ended his UNLV career on a low note. His stats dropped in nearly all fronts as he averaged 7.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 27.2 minutes . Rosegreen’s field goal clip fell to 51.1 percent. Worse, he was indirectly responsible for causing a combined 25-game suspension on Rebel teammates Keon Clark and Kevin Simmons. Rosegreen’s agent paid for plane tickets to fly Simmons and Clark to Orlando after UNLV’s third round loss to Arkansas in the National Invitation Tournament. The teammates rendezvoused with Rosegreen using the free tickets. Under NCAA rules, no collegiate player is allowed to accept such a gift from an agent. The indiscretion led to the suspension.

Rosegreen’s consolation was the Rebels posted a 22-10 record that year–a turnaround that was attributed to Bayno’s coaching ability, not Rosegreen’s skills.

Although he never scored bushels of points at UNLV, Rosegreen couldn’t be considered an offensive slouch. At Chaffey junior college in 1994-95, he averaged 17.1 points and 16.4 rebounds and shot 63.4 percent from the floor–no doubt, impressive figures. And as a Rebel, Rosegreen tallied 26 points against the University of Nevada and grabbed 21 rebounds against Fresno State.

Rosegreen was described as "an intriguing power forward, undersized but tenacious" because at 6-5, he more than held his own against players much bigger and much wider. Scouts said his 38-inch vertical leap made his lack of ceiling a moot point.

After leaving UNLV, Rosegreen played in Korea (he was the All-Star Game MVP and slam dunk champion in 1999) and for the Harlem Globetrotters. Why he never played in Europe where top-caliber imports hone their skills, except for a brief Nike summer league in Italy, is a mystery. He now lives in Las Vegas with wife Dalicia.

Rosegreen makes his PBA debut for Purefoods against FedEx at the Caruncho gym in Pasig tonight. He took over Gabe Muoneke’s spot on the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs roster.

Curiously, Bayno brought in another import–6-7 Pete Mickeal of the University of Cincinnati–to replace Danny Johnson in the Talk ‘N Text lineup. Does Bayno know something about Rosegreen that Purefoods interim coach Ryan Gregorio doesn’t?

Mickeal, 24, was the MVP in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) regular season and playoffs this year. He compiled 27 points and 10 rebounds to power the Kansas City Knights to a 118-113 decision over the Southern California Surf in the one-game playoff for the ABA title. The Knights wound up the campaign riding a 24-game winning streak to finish at 35-5. Mickeal averaged 23.4 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Knights. He shot 57.2 percent from the floor and 74.9 percent from the line.

Maybe, there’s nothing wrong with Rosegreen. Maybe, Mickeal’s just better.

Rosegreen teams up with 11-year National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Chris Morris to try to snap Purefoods’ four-game losing skein. The Hot Dogs are languishing at the botttom of the PBA totem pole with a 1-5 mark. They’re in danger of failing to advance to the quarters.

Purefoods opened the conference with Muoneke and Price as imports. Price got his walking papers after five games. Morris replaced Price and in his debut against Talk ‘N Text last July 14, was outstanding–he collected 30 points and 10 rebounds in 32 minutes and hit 50 percent from the field. But Morris couldn’t do it alone as Purefoods lost via a 109-92 rout. It was the third straight blowout setback for the Hot Dogs.

Gregorio hopes Rosegreen will provide more fire than the sometimes listless Muoneke who shot a poor 43.8 percent from the floor in six outings.

Purefoods’ problem is neither Morris nor Rosegreen is a natural center. And it’s in the middle where the Hot Dogs are shakiest. Purefoods can’t just be tender and juicy but also big and beefy at the five-spot if the squad is expected to pose a threat to the likes of Julius Nwosu, Asi Taulava, George Banks, and Frantz Pierre Louis.

After tonight’s game against FedEx, Purefoods will play the Philippine team Tuesday, Red Bull on Aug. 3, and Shell on Aug. 10.

Morris, 36, has something in common with Rosegreen. They both played for the fun-loving Globetrotters. Hot Dogs fans are praying Morris and Rosegreen won’t laugh it up. Playing in the PBA is no joke. If Morris and Rosegreen clown around, they’ll be on the first flight out the next day.