Bowles waiting in wings

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee import Matt Rogers will be tested against Barako Bull in the second game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup twinbill opening the second conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow and Mixers coach Tim Cone said yesterday the 6-10 center from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri could stick even as Denzel Bowles is waiting in the wings ready to fly over in two weeks.

“We’re committed to Matt,” said Cone. “I personally recruited Matt to come over. It’s only fair that we give him a chance. He’s a lights-out shooter who works really hard. We’ll test Matt. Of course, we all know what Denzel can do. The guys on the team still remember what he did for us in Game 7 of the last Commissioner’s Cup Finals. But we’re not sure about Denzel’s condition. He hasn’t played since October and he’s coming off rehab for a knee injury.”

Bowles, 23, powered San Mig Coffee, then known as the B-Meg Llamados, to the second conference crown last season. In Game 7 of the Finals against Talk ‘N’ Text, Bowles fired 39 points and grabbed 21 rebounds as B-Meg clinched, 90-84, in overtime. Bowles sank two free throws to send the contest to overtime with no time left in regulation. He wound up averaging 26.3 points and 12.5 rebounds in 24 outings.

After flirting with the possibility of joining the NBA last summer, Bowles was signed by the Zhejiang Chouzhou Bank in the Chinese league but never got to play. He hurt his knee and was sent back to the US for therapy. In his place, Zhejiang picked up NBA veteran Eddy Curry to play alongside guard Quincy Douby of Rutgers. 

“We’re in a quandary at the moment because Denzel will be free to join us by Feb. 20,” said Cone. “It doesn’t look like Zhejiang will bring him back because they’re close to making it to the playoffs with Curry and Douby. Coming to terms on a contract won’t be a problem with Denzel. He’s been undergoing rehab since October so his knee should be fine. We’ll go with Matt for the meantime and hope things work out.”

Cone said the Mixers are healthy and raring to defend their title. “We’ve worked hard to get everybody healthy,” he said. “We’ve brought in three new guys who can help us. We’re excited about Alex (Mallari) who’ll play point for us. We’re expecting Leo (Najorda) to contribute and we like Lester (Alvarez) who reminds me a bit of Steve Kerr.” San Mig Coffee surrendered J. C. Intal, Jonas Villanueva and Aldrech Ramos to welcome the three recruits.

Rogers, 25, is expected to make a strong case for Cone to keep him. He has the tools to bring the title back to the Mixers.  As a Southwest Baptist senior in 2009-10, Rogers averaged 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, shooting .414 from the three-point arc and a lofty .805 from the line. In a game against Henderson State, he erupted for 36 points, hitting 5-of-6 triples and 5-of-5 free throws. Against Nebraska Omaha, Rogers poured in 36 points, including 8-of-8 foul shots and 2-of-7 treys. 

In four years with the Bearcats varsity under coach Jeff Guiot, Rogers led Southwest Baptist to a combined 83-36 record, including three seasons with at least 20 wins. He was voted to the NCAA Division I first team, named Player of the Year in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and chosen MIAA Defensive Player of the Year twice. In his senior season, Rogers suffered a torn ACL in his right knee after 20 games and underwent surgery. He underwent therapy for six months then came back strong to play for the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League under coach Nancy Lieberman.

Rogers’ recovery from ACL surgery was a testament of his Christian character. “I might not be one of the smartest players but I’m going to be one of the hardest-working,” said Rogers. “I’ll run the court to tire out the other team. Every time you run hard, you’re getting the defense tired for the next guy coming in.” Rogers once told writer Kayla Rinker that as a player, he hopes to portray the characteristics of a real Christian. “I ask that you pray for me because becoming the best player in the world would be meaningless if I lost my character in the process,” he said. “I need your prayers to ensure that I don’t stray into the world. Basketball is my career so in order to maintain the level of play that is required of me, I have learned that I have to take care of my body first and foremost.”

Rogers said God is guiding his basketball journey. “I’m here to play for the King and for as long as I play for Him, He will lay before me the path that I’m supposed to take,” he said. Rogers suited up for the Charlotte Bobcats and Indiana Pacers during two NBA preseasons but never made it to the regular lineup. Before moving to the PBA, his only overseas stop was in Spain where he played for Leyma Basquet Coruna.