Update: Tim Cone Lands Consultancy Job for DLSU

It seems that the Green Archers are not yet done with their major revamping, showing that they are doing all that they can in order to put the Green Archers back into the radar.

Just days after acquiring prized high school standout Jeron Teng, the Green Archers hired Coach Tim Cone of the B-Meg Llamados to serve as the team's consultant for Season 75. The post has been held by Coach Jong Uichico, who left the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and landed a position as one of the coaches of the next Smart Gilas Pilipinas team and a consultant for the Meralco Bolts.

Before handling the reins of the B-Meg Llamados, the former head coach of the Alaska Aces, which won 13 titles under his leadership, expressed his interest in becoming the Green Archers' head coach. But due to his commitments with B-Meg, the DLSU management gave the post to Gee Abanilla, following Coach Dindo Pumaren's departure.

Known as the master of the famous triangle offense, which became the key to NBA Coach Phil Jackson's success with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, Coach Tim Cone would contribute largely to attaining the goals set for the Green Archers come Season 75, which primarily include returning to the Final Four after a dismal Season 74 where they were booted out of the final four with a 5-9 record.

Credits to Manila Bulletin for the news and Inquirer Sports for the image.

Ryan Buenafe Back In Practice?

It seems that the Blue Eagle gone stray has come back and is set to reclaim what he was and has earned in his three-year stay in the UAAP. According to members of the Gameface Media Forum, Ryan Buenafe has gone back to practice alongside other Blue Eagles (together with a lot of hopefuls) at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center of the Ateneo. Quoting a conversation between a certain "stow" and the "5footcarrot":

"i probably missed something but is there any new development to ryan's comeback? nagpractice na ba siya w the team?"

"Yes, I understand he scrimmaged with the team yesterday. I hope that those who were actually present could give us some first impressions of how he might jell [sic] with the rest of the team (especially the new guys last season)."

This still has to be validated by empirical evidence; nevertheless, having the former Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP at practice, which is an indication that he will have a chance at landing a roster spot in the Season 75 Blue Eagles, will boost Ateneo's chances of grabbing its fifth straight plum in the UAAP. Buenafe has been one of the most important players of the Blue Eagles from Seasons 71 to 73, and he might just play a bigger role now that the team is in need of a more dynamic small forward (having only Von Pessumal and Gwynne Capacio, which definitely need more improvement), now that Nico Salva has taken over the four spot. Plus, Buenafe, alongside Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva and Kiefer Ravena, could constitute the "big four" of the Ateneo offense, which could perhaps serve as the best offensive combo in Season 75.

With Ateneo winning their fourth straight title without Buenafe, his absence seems to be a blessing in disguise. Had he played in Season 74, he is set to graduate this year alongside Slaughter, Salva, Justin Chua, Tonino Gonzaga, and Oping Sumalinog, which consequently will leave a big hole in the Blue Eagles roster to fill up come Season 76. Fortunately, Buenafe will be there to stay and will have to lead a team that might just undergo a process of rebuilding.

But then, all of these are just mere speculations, and nothing is yet to be finalized. The team is currently having regular practices, and players, both included in last year's roster and those who have yet to vie for a spot, will have to be evaluated, giving them the opportunity to belong to the Blue Eagles' 16-man roster.

Photo from Fabilioh.com

Update: Jeron Teng Will Play for DLSU

After that phenomenal 104-point feat in the Metrto Manila Tiong Lian Basketball tournament, all followers of the UAAP and the NCAA were anxious to know where Xavier School star Jeron Teng will play.

The long wait is over, and he has chosen to go to Taft.

UST Growling Tiger Jeric Teng, Jeron's older brother, tweeted earlier that his brother indeed has chosen to play for the Green Archers, consequently turning down the invitation of the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the NU Bulldogs, his two other choices. This announcement served only as a clarification to all

So what does the Xavier School Stallion bring into DLSU?

Teng could provide the athleticisim and inside scoring that apparently the DLSU Green Archers lack when it comes to the two or three position. Remember that during the past seasons, Jarelan Tampus, Luigi dela Paz, and Joseph Marata would prefer to take quick spot-up jumpers and long threes to get it done, with Joshua Webb (although he plays the four spot more frequently last season), the only one who drives the ball in most of the time. The MMTLB and the Youth Olympics last 2010 showed us what the 6'4" forward can do, having a tough upper body that comes with the ability to take a step ahead of the defender.

On the other hand, he has challenges ahead of him, and perhaps the most obvious one would be the UAAP playing field, which is much different compared to the small MMTLB, where he in fact towers and dominates above most, if not all. In this aspect, perhaps what could help him cope up with the quicker and more aggressive style of play in the UAAP will be his experience as a member of the U-18 Philippine Team, together with present UAAP stars Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks. Another thing, which is common to all rookies, would be adjustment. He played in the Tiong Lian in the four or five position, and standing at 6'1"; however, in the UAAP, no one plays his position unless there is a very good reason to do so (e.g. a very wide and muscular body that could outman and outhustle everyone who enters the painted area). At such height and stature, he will have to resort to playing the small forward or shooting guard position, and this entails practicing his shooting and eventually improving his outside scoring abilities as well as the ability to defend quicker and taller players.

The way he played in the Tiong Lian and the Youth Olympics is reason enough for him to be DLSU's green hope for the season, especially that the DLSU system experiences a big shift as they made changes in the coaching staff. And it will be exciting to see him play against his former U-18 teammates Ravena and Parks, as he plays for the green and white.

Credits to jumpshot.sg for the image.