Vote of confidence for Jax

Volatile import Jackson Vroman shot a horrendous 1-of-12 free throws in Barangay Ginebra’s 94-91 overtime win over Talk ‘N’ Text in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before over 13,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday and despite the atrocious performance from the line, it doesn’t look like he’s about to lose his job.

Vroman, 30, compensated by delivering nearly a triple double for the Kings, finishing with 24 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists in 46 minutes. He shot 11-of-17 from the floor, including a perfect 1-of-1 from triple distance so coach Siot Tanquingcen can’t complain. Vroman did his job in the middle but Ginebra’s man of the hour was the comebacking Rudy Hatfield who erupted for a career-high 30 points. Only two other Kings wound up in twin digits with Mike Cortez firing 11 and Mark Caguioa, 10.

Cortez has been working out on his own at the La Salle gym lately. He practices in the morning with Ginebra then puts in more hours at the Green Archers hoophouse on Taft Avenue. Cortez has asked La Salle skills coach Joe Ward to look after his progress. Ward, however, is committed exclusively to the Archers program after a three-month stint with Ginebra last year.

San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala said Vroman is here to stay. “No plans to replace him for now,” he said. “Vroman is still good with us. It’s all mental for him right now which is easier to fix than lack of skill. He almost had a triple double against Talk ‘N’ Text. Coaches will just work on his form. The team is starting to like him and we don’t want to disrupt developing chemistry.” Two NBA veterans were reportedly on standby to hop into the first available plane to Manila but Ginebra’s coaching staff decided to stick with the 6-10 journeyman who took out Lebanese citizenship to play as a naturalized import at the 2010 World Championships in Turkey.

If there’s anyone who can tweak Vroman’s stroke, it’s Ginebra assistant coach Allan Caidic. Imagine if Vroman could only shoot even 50 percent of his free throws – that would mean adding at least another four points to Ginebra’s average. Another adjustment that Vroman must make is his focus on defense. Against B-Meg last March 11, he was humbled by the Llamados’ 22-year-old import Denzel Bowles who paced Derby Ace to a 109-93 victory with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Vroman missed eight foul shots in the loss.

In the conference so far, Vroman is hitting a lowly .327 from the line. No import shoots worse from the stripe. He’s missed 35 free throws in four games or an average of 8.75 an outing. Ginebra has lost three games by an average of nine points. If Vroman was a little more accurate in shooting free throws, the Kings would probably be in better shape, record-wise.

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Powerade has vaulted to No. 1 in the league’s three-point field goal percentage standings after torching Air21 with 18 triples in a 121-92 rout at the Cuneta Astrodome last Friday night. The Tigers buried 18-of-35 from the rainbow arc as Gary David detonated six, Marcio Lassiter four and Jvee Casio, Will Antonio, Josh Vanlandingham, Rudy Lingganay, James Martinez, Francis Allera, Sean Anthony and Alex Crisano chipping in one apiece. Believe it or not, 10 Tigers hit at least a triple that game.

Talk ‘N’ Text is No. 2 in the honor roll at .357, followed by B-Meg at .345, Meralco at .333, Air21 at .330, Alaska at .321, Barako Bull at .295, Ginebra at .295, Petron at .247 and Rain Or Shine at .248. Barako and Ginebra were tied at .295 but the Bulls had the edge in more treys converted with 52 against the Kings’ 39.

The Tigers have knocked down at least 11 triples in three games this conference, canning 15-of-35 in a 122-120 win over Rain Or Shine last Feb. 17 and 11-of-27 in a 105-96 loss to Barako. Powerade is averaging 10.6 three-point makes a game.

In Powerade’s win over the Express, Crisano – one of the league’s most popular crowd pleasers – gave his fans a reason to cheer by collecting three points, three rebounds and two assists in only eight minutes. Crisano, who insists he’s a changed man, has left behind a stormy past with former lady love Ethel Booba and credits new girlfriend Linda for straightening out his life. Another seldom-used Powerade player Allera also came through wit h an efficient performance, compiling 10 points and four rebounds in seven minutes. Both Crisano and Allera had no turnover.