Shell pins hopes on Wilson

Shell coach Leo Austria said yesterday he’s optimistic of the Turbochargers’ chances to make headway in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference because of import Wesley Wilson.

"Okay siya," said Austria who piloted Shell to fourth place in the previous conference as a rookie coach. "He’s coachable. Every game, he wants to win. He’s a legitimate center and a team player. Hindi siya bwaya. He’s exactly what we’ve been looking for. At nakikisama. Kabarkada niya si Ronald (Tubid) at madalas silang nagkakaraoke."

Austria stumbled on the 6-10, 250-pound Wilson by accident.

Before the season opened, US player agent Ben Penchak sent a tape of Georgetown star Mike Sweetney in action during a game where Wilson also played.

Austria was unhappy with Shell’s original import Eric Chenowith and checked out possible replacements.

"Pinanonood namin si Sweetney but we found out naglalaro na siya sa NBA," recounted Austria. "Wesley was on the same tape and we were impressed. Tinanong namin kung available siya. Sabi ni Ben, available after playing in China. Kaya yung plane ticket niya from China to the US, pinalitan from China to Manila. Interested naman siya to play here kasi as a sociology major, he enjoys meeting different people in different countries. Tahimik lang siya. Hindi gumigimik. He has two children back home in California."

Wilson averaged 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots as a high school player at Maine Central Institute in Vallejo, California, in 1998-99. He enrolled at Georgetown the next season but sat out the campaign due to NCAA restrictions. Wilson went on to play three years for the Hoyas varsity under coach Craig Esherick.

In 2000-01, Wilson’s debut was described by writer Michael Bradley as "solid" and Georgetown roared to a 16-0 start enroute to its first Sweet 16 finish since 1996. He hit at a 5.5 clip in 12.1 minutes a game, shooting .482 from the field and .554 from the line.

"He is capable of strong interior defense, good rebounding and fine scoring close to the hoop," said Bradley. "He’s not just a banger. He can move, too. Wilson is a mobile big man who can defend well and runs the floor like someone a few inches shorter. He comes with a body most players would envy and the willingness to mix it up inside."

Esherick added, "He has a nice shooting touch, a turnaround jump shot and a jump hook–he’s a good athlete for someone his size."

In 2001-02, Wilson and Sweetney emerged as the Hoyas’ 1-2 punch in the post. Wilson averaged 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots and 25.5 minutes as Georgetown posted a 19-11 record. He shot .563 from the floor and .619 from the stripe.

As a senior in 2002-03, Wilson averaged 6.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. His field goal clip was .469 and free throw mark, .571. The Hoyas ended the season losing a close 70-67 decision to St. John’s University in the National Invitation Tournament finals.

Wilson honed his skills in Georgetown’s hoop factory that produced Pat Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Allen Iverson and former Shell import Jameel Watkins.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said Wilson told him his goal is for fans to always remember No. 33.

"He’s very determined to make a good impression," noted Eala. "In China, he recounted how he once embarrassed Batere Mengke by dunking on him seven times in a game."

In four Shell games so far, Wilson is averaging 31.5 points.

Austria said his problem now is getting the locals to understand that despite a dominant import, they’ve got to contribute their fair share and work as hard as they did in the last conference.

"There’s a tendency to rely too much on Wesley," said Austria. "It’s understandable kasi finally, we have a dominant center. Nagbago ang set plays namin to take advantage of Wesley’s presence. We got to the semis in the last conference because of hard work, teamwork and the intangibles. That’s what we need to do again. Our field goal shooting has improved from 37 to over 40 so we’re on the right track."

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia has tapped 6-foot-7 Ryan Fletcher to reinforce the team as it resumes its campaign in the PBA Fiesta Conference against Red Bull on Friday.

Fletcher, a teammate of NBA star Kenyon Martin in the Uconn champion team in the US NCAA, suited for Ginebra in 2000 and 2001 Reinforced Conference and is expected to boost the Realtors’ chances after they went 1-3 (win-loss) with Raheim Brown as their import.