BARAKO BULL FINALLY NETS DJ MBENGA
He has been talked about a lot in the weeks leading to the Commissioner’s Cup opening and until the early part of the conference.
Now we will finally get the chance to see the guy at work.
Two-time NBA champion and former teammate of Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers cap DJ Mbenga is in town to try and save Barako Bull from going into an early break.
The 7-foot Congolese-Belgian quietly arrived Tuesday afternoon and immediately immersed himself in a closed door training at the Ronac Gym under the watchful eyes of head coach Bong Ramos and active consultant Rajko Toroman.
Mbenga went through some drills on post up plays, rebounding and free throw shooting.
Due to jet lag and the hot and humid Manila weather, Mbenga seemed to run out of breath at times, stopping for short breaks.
This is something that concerns Barako Bull team manager Raffy Casyao.
“We’re very much aware na after his stint sa China, matagal siyang hindi naglaro ng high level, so we’ll see,†said Casyao, who personally observed their new import recruit.
But Mbenga himself said there’s no need to worry. Even if he’s been out of competitive basketball for sometime, he can easily get back into game shape.
“I’m a professional. I know how to get myself back into shape,†Mbenga said.
Toroman said Mbenga is a very welcome addition to the Energy Cola because of his inside presence. His experience in the NBA is likewise a big plus.
“We’re the worst rebounding team, that’s what we need in him. We don’t care if he doesn’t have an offense or what. We need his defense and hustle more,†quipped Toroman.
For his part, Ramos said the replacement of Evan Brock by Mbenga may be considered by some as a gamble on their part, but he believes is it a move that the team had to make if they are to make a serious bid at a spot in the playoffs.
“Kailangan talaga naming i-address yung kulang sa amin. Right now, yun ang kayang ibigay ni DJ. We have three more games, we need to win as many as we can para makapag playoffs kami,†Ramos said.
The Energy Cola will unveil the 32-year-old Mbenga on Sunday against Petron Blaze. (SBadua)
SOURCE: http://pba.inquirer.net/21209/barako-bull-finally-nets-mbenga
