Okay okay. Did I write too many superlatives about the Bay Area Dragons (BAD) in my previous column?
I guess I did.
Bryan Goorjian’s credentials as a capable coach are as impressive as you read them.
How about Myles Powell, the 6’2” shooting guard who once wore the New York Knicks outfit several seasons ago?
Isn’t the guy just fantastic and amazing?
After his torrid 41 point performance against Blackwater in BAD’s initial PBA outing where the visitors walloped with impunity the helpless Bossing with a 46-point winning margin, I thought Northport coach Pido Jarencio might have devised something that would limit, if not prevent, Powell from his prolific contribution to his team.
Well, the ex-NBAer poured in 37 markers.
Well, in the early goings, Batang Pier matched BAD’s production and its defense prevented Powell et al from scoring at will as they did against Blackwater.
In fact, I was thrilled by the superb playmaking of Roi Sumang who gave Northport its lasy taste of the lead at 104-192 with just 1:08 remaining.
Robert Bolick’s confidence as a do-it-all and Northport go-to-guy remarkably surfaced as he eluded even the tall guards assigned against him with finesse and shifty maneuvers.
Bolick reminded me of a young Pido Jarencio during the latter’s active playing days, scooting around the perimeter defense and sneaking in short stabs, sniping here and there.
But Powell did what he had to do.
In the dying seconds, he dribbled near the left elbow, tossed a hurried but well-executed buzzer-beating jumpshot and, despite the outstretched long arms of import Prince Ibeh challenging his trey, bailed the Dragons for a final 105-104 count.
Goodbye, Northport. Sorry it wasn’t your night.
I don’t think that was a lucky shot. If you say so, I am sorry to disagree.
Powell is a proven scorer. Leave him open and you pay the price.
Any PBA coach would probably love to get him on his team.
Powell has deft reliable shooting hands. He is shifty as an eel and a good passer as well.
With a 2-0 record, the Dragons may have built an intimidating presence in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Of course, the test of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating.
We will have to see how Goorjian and his boys perform against proven champion ball clubs such as TNT, San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and Ginebra San Miguel.
They literally squeezed their way through Northport’s court savvy.
Remember, this is an import-laden tournament where a 610” reinforcement is allowed.
For the moment, Powell and the Dragons have captured the fancy of discriminating basketball fans. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
