Slammin' Sammy in rousing PBA debut

MANILA, Philippines - You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. That’s almost what Barako Coffee’s high-flying import Slammin’ Sammy Monroe, Jr. declared after scoring 39 points to power the Energy Masters to a 97-93 win over Sta. Lucia Realty in his PBA Fiesta Conference debut at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

And if Monroe has a lot more to show, it’s a scary proposition for the other teams lined up to face owner George Chua’s newly-refurbished franchise.

Barako coach Junel Baculi said yesterday fans can expect more from Monroe in the coming games. “He’s adjusting to the calls and weather,” Baculi told The STAR. “He’s very coachable. He still has aces up his sleeves - (just watch) as soon as he gets into tip-top shape.”

Monroe and San Miguel Beer’s Gabe Freeman are the only imports in town without NCAA Division I credentials. But resumes apparently don’t count when the ball’s on the floor. After all, Freeman – a junior college standout at Costa Mesa in Arizona – led San Miguel to the Fiesta Conference crown last season. And Monroe was a fixture in the Rochester Razorbacks’ back-to-back title runs in the three-year-old, Chicago-based Premier Basketball League (PBL) after playing only a season at Newberry College, a Division II school in South Carolina .

Monroe, 25, has more to prove than the other imports because of his obscure background. The 6-5 1/16 forward played for two junior colleges before winding up at Newberry where he averaged 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 2005-06. Low grades kicked him out of the roster the next season and Monroe drifted to the PBL where he hooked up with the Razorbacks.

It was in the PBL where Monroe began to catch attention. In 2007-08, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocked shots for the Razorbacks. Monroe shot .481 from the field, .346 from three-point distance and .679 from the line in 20 games. But the icing on the cake was when he smashed a backboard on a breakaway dunk in Rochester ‘s 142-112 decision over the Arkansas Impact in the PBL title game. The game was delayed 45 minutes to clear the debris of shattered glass and teammate James Reaves had to be treated for cuts because of shrapnel.

Then, in a déjà vu encore, Monroe did it again as Rochester clinched its second straight PBL title last year. Monroe crushed another backboard in his best impersonation of Billy Ray Bates as the Razorbacks downed the Battle Creek Knights, 152-115, for the championship. The game was also delayed 45 minutes like the year before. Monroe wound up averaging 22.3 points, hitting .589 from the field and .810 from the stripe, in the playoffs and took co-MVP honors. For the season, he averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 28.2 minutes, shooting .498 from the floor, .714 from the line and .338 from three-point range. Clearly, Monroe outdid himself in the playoffs, prompting fans to swear that “this kid can fly.”

Before moving to the PBA, Monroe took his sneakers to the Mexican league where he averaged 23.9 points and 5.4 rebounds for Potros Itson. He was second in league scoring and hit .538 from the field and .850 from the stripe.

The Walton Sports Management Group of Houston said Monroe “has a great first step and can finish through contact with dunks – he can shoot the ball from all three levels (meaning from two-point distance, three-point range and the foul line).”

In his first PBA appearance, Monroe was as impressive as he was spectacular. Wearing Michael Jordan’s No. 23, he buried two free throws to break an 88-all tie and added three more in the last 11.3 seconds to finish off Sta. Lucia. “Hopefully, it’s all the way to the top, that’s why I’m here,” said Monroe who scattered 17 of Barako’s 34 points in an explosive third period that turned a 44-46 halftime deficit into a 78-68 cushion entering the fourth quarter.

Barako coffee sponsor Mikee Romero and assistant Erick Arejola sat behind the Energy Masters’ bench as they cheered the team to victory. It was a special occasion for Romero who celebrated his birthday that night.

Arejola described Monroe as “very athletic and really a scorer.” As for the possibility of Philippine Patriots coach Louie Alas joining Baculi’s staff, Arejola said the decision is up to Chua. At the moment, Baculi’s assistants are Raymond Celis and Elmer Bola-bola.

In the last Philippine Cup, Barako ended up last with a 3-15 record and was the only team that didn’t advance to the playoffs. The team opened the conference with a 2-2 record then lost 13 of its next 14 assignments.

When Baculi took over from coach and now consultant Leo Isaac, he revamped the Barako cast, bringing in rookie free agent Jerwin Gaco and three other Asean Basketball League (ABL) mainstays Al Vergara, Christian Coronel and Rob Wainwright. He struck out Benedict Fernandez, Alex Crisano, Donbel Belano, Bruce Viray, Magnum Membrere, Adonis Sta. Maria and Jec Chia from the opening day roster while retaining Yousif Aljamal, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Leo Najorda, Chad Alonzo, Gilbert Lao, Ogie Menor, Bryan Faundo, Paolo Hubalde and Rob Reyes.