Defensive demon anchors Global bid

MANILA, Philippines - Global Port coach Junel Baculi said yesterday while 6-10 import Justin Williams will anchor the Batang Pier’s campaign in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup, a key element to make the playoffs is local support as he hinted a trade could be in the works to improve the team’s balance.

“We might have some movements,” said Baculi, insinuating a trade in the offing. “I need support from the locals, especially Rabeh (Al-Hussaini). He must assert himself in the shaded area. It should be that way because of his height and talent.”

Al-Hussaini, 24, was Air 21’s first round pick and second overall in the 2010 PBA draft. He averaged 14.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in his rookie year with Air 21 and Petron. Last season, he moved to Powerade, now Global. In the recent Philippine Cup, the 6-7, 240-pound former Ateneo star registered a strong finish with back-to-back 20-point games. Al-Hussaini averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13 games, including two starts, hitting .372 from the floor and .755 from the line throughout the conference. He has been the subject of trade rumors particularly as his Blue Eagles coach Norman Black is now calling the shots for Talk ‘N’ Text.

As for Williams, Baculi described the 28-year-old University of Wyoming standout as “a hard-working, high-leaping shot blocker.” In a way, Baculi said Williams plays like Dirk Nowitzki because he’s comfortable facing the basket although “not that deadly outside.” 

Team manager B. J. Manalo said Williams could be just what Global needs to make headway. “We appreciate our import very much,” said Manalo. “He’s a great person on and off the court and his defensive attitude is what we need. We believe that we can’t depend on a single person to bring us to the Finals, that’s why our locals also have to step up.”

Manalo said in the offseason, Global signed up free agent Reed Juntilla in place of Al Vergara. He singled out Batang Pier’s top gunner Gary David as a source of pride for the team. “We are proud of Gary as he is representing our country (with Gilas Pilipinas) and Global Port,” said Manalo. “Whatever he learns in international competitions will definitely help us.” David played on the Gilas squad that captured the Super Kung Sheung Cup title at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai, Hong Kong, last weekend. He also saw action in the Jones Cup which Gilas topped in Taipei last year.

As for reuniting with Global owner Mikee Romero, Baculi said he’s excited to be back coaching for the sportsman. Together, Romero and Baculi conspired for seven PBL championships under the Harbour Centre banner.

“Coach Junel’s doing a great job,” said Manalo. “The players are responding very well and I think he’s also excited about the team. As of now, our lineup is virtually the same but we are always looking for ways to improve.”

In the just-concluded Philippine Cup, Global posted a 1-13 record, beating only Meralco, 105-104, under coach Glenn Capacio. Baculi left Barako Bull to replace Capacio. In the previous Commissioner’s Cup, Global (playing as Powerade) went 4-5 in the eliminations then lost to Meralco in a playoff to bow out of contention. Dwayne Jones was the team’s import.

Aside from David and Al-Hussaini, Baculi will lean on locals Willie Miller, Josh Vanlandingham, Jondan Salvador, Vic Manuel, Jason Deutchman, Rey Guevarra, Will Antonio, A. J. Mandani, Rudy Lingganay, Mark Yee, Alex Crisano and Romel Adducul. But the center of attention will be Williams, a two-time Mountain West Conference (MWC) Defensive Player of the Year.

In two years with the University of Wyoming varsity, he gained a reputation as the best inside player in the MWC, an NCAA Division I league. Before transferring to Wyoming, Williams was rated the US’ No. 3 junior college center by NBAdraft.net. In his first season at Wyoming, Williams averaged a whopping 2.89 blocked shots a game to rank No. 11 in the NCAA. He was often likened to another Wyoming center and NBA veteran Theo Ratliff.

In the 2005-06 MWC Semifinals against the University of Utah, Williams compiled a triple double with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocked shots. In the Finals, he had 16 rebounds and five blocked shots as Wyoming lost a 69-64 heartbreaker to San Diego State. Cowboys coach Steve McClain called Williams “a special inside player.” An independent scouting report in the eurobasket website said Williams is “an outstanding defensive player who has the ability to change a game with his shot-blocking and rebounding, he can contest every shot, forcing the opponents to stay away from the middle, runs well, decent hook shot but otherwise, raw offensively, a tenacious rebounder.” As a Wyoming senior, Williams averaged 11.1 points, 11 rebounds (sixth in the NCAA) and 5.4 blocked shots (second in the NCAA) while shooting .515 from the floor and .558 from the stripe.

Williams was never drafted by an NBA team but managed to earn over $1.1 Million playing 48 games for the Sacramento Kings and one for the Houston Rockets over two seasons.