Rabeh finally finds home

MANILA, Philippines - After dragging his feet with three different teams over the last seven conferences, burly Rabeh Al-Hussaini has finally found a home at Talk ‘N’ Text in the PBA. Last Saturday afternoon, the Ateneo center was reunited with Blue Eagles coach Norman Black and welcomed by his new teammates in his first Texters practice at the Moro Lorenzo Center in Loyola Heights.

Al-Hussaini, 24, was Air 21’s first round pick and second overall in the 2010 PBA draft. He was named Rookie of the Year splitting his freshman season with Air 21 and Petron then after four more games with the Blaze Boosters, transferred to Powerade, now Global Port, last campaign. The 6-7 frontliner didn’t do badly in the recent Philippine Cup, closing out the conference with back-to-back 20-point eruptions, and averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13 games. He also hit .372 from the field and .755 from the line. In the offseason, Al-Hussaini was traded by Global to Talk ‘N’ Text for the signing rights to restricted free agent Japeth Aguilar.

A Texter with whom Al-Hussaini has history is guard Jayson Castro, voted Best Player last conference. Al-Hussaini was a junior high school player when Castro was a sophomore on the senior varsity as they both played for Philippine Christian University in the NCAA.  Castro said Al-Hussaini is determined to prove himself with Talk ‘N’ Text starting in the Commissioner’s Cup which opens Friday..

“Rabeh talked to Jimmy (Alapag) who’s our leader and we also talked because we’ve known each other since our PCU days,” said Castro. “He told me he’s ready to go all out, for me not to believe all the talk about his attitude. I think he can play with our import (Keith Benson). Rabeh can play four and Benson, five. Rabeh will adjust quickly because he’s familiar with coach Norman’s system.”

Castro said Al-Hussaini’s arrival is providential as center Ali Peek will be out of commission for a month after undergoing a procedure to clean up his knee of bone spurs. “It’s the perfect timing for Rabeh because Ali won’t be able to play,” said Castro. “Rabeh wants to show his full potential. Talk ‘N’ Text was his choice. For a first round pick, he has moved around a lot so it’s about time he finds a home to settle down.”

What Castro immediately noticed was Al-Hussaini showed up for his first practice in shape. “He’s lost weight, it looks like ‘di siya nagpabaya,” said Castro. “He ran with us. We went all-out at practice and Rabeh kept pace.  I think we’re a better team with him.”

As for Benson, Castro said the former Golden State Warrior has to get used to the physicality in the PBA. “He can post up, shoot the jump shot, run the floor,” said Castro. “I think he needs to be more physical because that’s how the game is played in the PBA.”

Black said he’s looking forward to Al-Hussaini developing into an impact player. “I’m really happy to be united with Rabeh,” he said. “He definitely gives us a young, big man who can help us inside the paint. I think our veteran players will be a good influence on him and will help him reach his full potential. It may take him some time to learn our system but once he does, I’m sure he will be a good fit.” Al-Hussaini anchored two of Black’s five UAAP title squads with Ateneo.

Commenting on Al-Hussaini’s first practice with the Tropa, Black said it went smoothly. “Rabeh was good in practice and will be a big help to the team because he wants to play for Talk ‘N’ Text,” he said. “Playing time among our bigs will be balanced because of the presence of our big import but I will find a way to utilize all of them.”

Black confirmed that Peek will be sidelined for about four weeks. It will be enough time for Al-Hussaini to establish himself as a capable replacement in Black’s rotation.

Benson, 24, was a force at Oakland University, an NCAA Division I school in Michigan.  As a senior in 2010-11, the 6-10 center averaged 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocked shots while shooting .547 from the floor, .391 from the three-point line and .643 from the stripe. He was picked on the second round by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2011 NBA draft.