Jason and the ArgoStars

In Greek mythology, the Argonauts were heroic sailors who accompanied Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece. In the PBA, there’s a Jason who’s finding the sailing a little rough as a rookie coach in his baptism of fire with the Star Hotshots in the ongoing Philippine Cup. Jason Webb, 42, is like the mythical Jason in that he, too, is seeking the PBA’s version of the Golden Fleece – the championship and his Argonauts are the Hotshots.

Webb hardly got his feet wet as a Star assistant coach when he was brought to center stage on Tim Cone’s recommendation. Cone took in Webb from the TV broadcast booth to the Star bench last season and when the PBA’s winningest coach moved to Barangay Ginebra, he had only one man in mind as his successor with the Hotshots. Webb was Cone’s choice.

A lesser man would’ve shirked at the responsibility given that Webb had never been a head coach before. But he didn’t back off and like the mythical Jason, took on the job of finding the gold at the end of the rainbow.

To be sure, it hasn’t been easy for Webb. His veteran starting center Rafi Reavis dislocated his finger in the Star’s second game of the conference and hasn’t been back on duty since. Reavis’ replacement Yousef Taha has been a steady performer but still lacks the confidence of an experienced player. The Hotshots are struggling with a 3-6 record, trying to stay alive in the race for a quarterfinals spot. Four teams are in danger of missing the playoffs outright – Star, Mahindra, Blackwater and Meralco. Two of the four will be struck out at the end of the single-round eliminations.

The Hotshots’ remaining games are against Barako Bull on Sunday and Blackwater on Dec. 18. Mahindra has a 2-7 record and the Enforcers close out the eliminations against Globalport on Saturday and Blackwater on Dec. 20. Blackwater totes a 1-7 mark and will play Barako Bull on Friday, Star on Dec. 18 and Mahindra on Dec. 20. Meralco is at the bottom of the ladder with a 1-8 mark and will face Globalport at the Cuneta Astrodome today and Rain Or Shine on Dec. 16.

Last Sunday, the Hotshots led in nearly 43 of 48 minutes but almost lost to Mahindra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Enforcers went up, 94-91, late in the fourth period but Star sealed it with a 13-2 blast to win, 104-96. James Yap scored 15 points in his usual role as an offensive force but the Hotshots leaned on Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari to pull off the victory down the stretch. Barroca, who entered the game averaging four turnovers, had only one error and finished with 26 points, five rebounds and three assists. Mallari, reinserted in the starting lineup after losing the spot in the previous outing, delivered 20 points.  P. J. Simon, comfortable coming off the bench, tallied 11 and Jake Pascual, norming only 3.3 points, came through with 10. Marc Pingris had five points, seven boards and four dimes.

What brought a smile to Webb’s face was the Star’s efficiency as reflected in its assist-to-turnover ratio of 22:12 compared to Mahindra’s 14:15. The Hotshots had five less rebounds but were more productive on the offensive glass with 20 second chance points to the Enforcers’ 10. Taha hauled down four offensive boards and Pascual, three. Star also had the advantage in turnover points, 22-12 and bench firepower, 32-25. Both teams hit 51 percent from the floor but Star had more field goal attempts, 79-70, with more steals, 8-5 and less turnovers, 12-15.

The win snapped the Hotshots’ three-game losing skid. Star’s averaging losing margin is seven points. In three wins, the Hotshots gave up an average of 90 points. In six losses, they yielded an average of 97. So it’s in the defensive department where Star has to improve and Webb knows it.

“We’ve lost some games which could’ve gone either way,” said Webb. “We need to be more consistent defensively and that’s what we’re working on.” Star lost to Rain Or Shine by nine, Globalport by seven, Talk ‘N’ Text by five, Meralco by four, Alaska by five and San Miguel Beer by 11. The wins were over Barangay Ginebra by eight, NLex by two and Mahindra by eight.

“What you notice clearly is the league’s competitive balance,” said Webb. “Any team can win in any given game. Ginebra needed two overtimes to beat Blackwater as an example. If you don’t play your best, you’re going to lose because expect the other team to play its best. The only way you get a chance to win is by playing your best. Competitive balance is good for the league but it’s stressful for the coaches.”

Webb’s latest addition to his lineup is guard Mark Cruz who moved in after playing out his NCAA eligibility with Letran on a championship note. Star’s other rookie is Norbert Torres. The Hotshots are slowly adjusting to Webb’s system of go-go basketball, attacking the mismatches and motion in the halfcourt with multiple picks. It’s a departure from Cone’s methodical triangle structure but the Hotshots are looking good when they’re executing with precision. Consistency is what Webb is aiming for. So far, it’s been rough sailing for the ArgoStars but Jason should steer the ship to smooth waters sooner than later.