What now NU?

Last week, we touched on the matter of Bobby Ray Parks deciding to leave the National University Bulldogs to run after his dream of landing it to the biggest stage in basketball: the NBA. After getting itself armed with nukes, so to speak, with recruits like Emmanuel Mbe, Gelo Alolino, Kyle Neypes and thebiggest star of them all, Bobby Ray Parks, NU is back to the Stone Age. That’s how bad the outlook is for the Bulldogs in Season 77.

For starters, they will be losing not only Parks but their pillar in the middle, Emmanuel Mbe. Along with that, stretch-four Denice Villamor has also played out his eligibility. Then there’s Jeoffrey Javillonar, using up his playing years and making everyone else’s shoulders heave a sigh of relief.

But on to the real problem. How do you replace Parks’ and Mbe’s production? It is still unclear if Alolino is also gone, owing to my poor math. But between Parks and Mbe, that’s around 35 points, AT LEAST. Then there’s the starting power forward Javillonar who is able to provide at least 10 and seven on a good day and five hard fouls on a bad one.

They’ll be left with Kyle Neypes, Glen Khobuntin and Jetroy Rosario among others. Among the three, only Rosario seems to be the bright spot. Neypes, from the UST Tiger Cubs, hasn’t panned out except for some spurts. Khobuntin? Dude looks for offense in weird places and circumstances. Politically saying, bwakaw and should’ve stayed in Letran. Then there’s the uncleared Alfred Aroga issue. In a blink of an eye, NU has gone from contender to doormat. Again.

Why do I feel like there was a misuse of resources here and there? Maybe because there was. Again and again, I would go back to how the Bulldogs used Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. it was great to work him off the ball. But on the downside, you let him receive passes on the wings where he’s going to be pinned down easily by smart defenses. Also, in the offseason, why not work him out to include post-up skills? That way, you can put him down in the post where he can easily take his smaller man to school. He can also pick off weak side cutters and dribble away safely or turn the corner when the double or triple-team comes. But no, they were content on using a superstar as a pedestrian scorer who lives on wing catches.

What now NU?

You have to keep Hubert Cani at all costs. Prepare to tank the next season or a pedestrian 7-7 and pray for a Final Four playoff. There is also a ton of jobs left to do with the remaining players. Time to re-distribute roles. And also, why not include a development list?

First off, hire Danny Ildefonso. What’s better than hiring the only man to bring National University to the Final Four on his shoulders (sorry Junior, you had an Mbe and a myriad of Villamors, Ronos, etc.) to work on your legit big man Troy Rosario in the offseason? Also, it would help if Khobuntin finally gets his head right thanks to Danny I right? Then, he and Rosario can form a tag-team of sorts to give opposing teams problems.

Second, work on Neypes. He has shown that he can be counted upon. Now’s the time for some consistency. And maybe Cedric Labing-Isa can make a case for himself? But I would bet against that in the long run.

Lastly, time to look for a new go-to-guy. If Troy Rosario continues his upward track, then NU might be looking at a gem here. And no, he’s not Rey Mendoza two point oh. This guy is loads better. He can star. Now if only Altamirano realizes that he still has weapon and uses it well this time around.

Who knows NU?

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