A place for Kerby

Kerby Raymundo, a certified All-Star, now comes off the bench for Barangay Ginebra and his minutes are dwindling but coach Siot Tanquingcen says it’s not an indication of an inability to produce in the PBA Philippine Cup.

In Ginebra’s 97-90 win over Rain Or Shine at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday, Raymundo collected only two points and two rebounds in six minutes. The man called The Kid had sat out three of the last four outings and in the game he played, the former Letran star from Bataan went scoreless. He’s averaging 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 15.1 minutes so far. 

Somehow, Raymundo has lost his spot in Tanquingcen’s primary rotation. Since his three-day confinement in a hospital for a viral infection a few weeks ago, he hasn’t been the same. Billy Mamaril and Rico Maierhofer have started 11 straight games for Ginebra in the frontline, leaving Raymundo to share bench chores with Rudy Hatfield and Willy Wilson as their relievers. 

Raymundo, 31, played only five games in 2010-11, recovering from a knee injury, but rebounded to average 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 25.3 minutes in 45 contests last campaign. He left B-Meg to join Ginebra starting the second conference last season and had 19 starts in 29 outings under Tanquingcen. Because of Ginebra’s depth, Raymundo never got to play the three spot and instead alternated at four or five. Raymundo has been known to play three positions in the past, making him an extremely valuable commodity.  Lately, Raymundo has been designated to play five, posting up back-to-the-basket and using his quickness to spin away from low block defenders.

“Kerby’s a professional,” said Tanquingcen. “It’s always a tough decision which players to use because there are only so many minutes in a game. I’ve talked with Kerby and he understands what we’re trying to do. It’s not easy. We’re making adjustments after losing Dylan (Ababou) and Mike (Cortez). Everyone is sacrificing for the good of the team. One adjustment that’s working is playing three guards with L. A. (Tenorio), Jay-Jay (Helterbrand) and Mark (Caguioa). The veterans know how to close out games, they’re our reliables.”

Ginebra came from 18 points down to stun Rain Or Shine, outscoring the Painters, 55-33 in the second half. Tenorio broke out of a scoreless first period to fire 11 of his 20 points in the fourth. He also compiled seven rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Six players grabbed at least seven rebounds each as Ginebra controlled the boards, 59-51, by committee. Caguioa, as usual, kept the Ginebra flag flying when Rain Or Shine threatened to break away in the first half and wound up with 18 points, 10 in the second quarter. High-flying Chris Ellis delivered 15 points and seven rebounds while Mamaril, fitting in nicely at center, had 12 points and nine boards.

Ginebra has won four in a row and will play Air 21 on Friday, Barako on Dec. 2 and Talk ‘N’ Text on Dec. 9  close its elimination schedule. Theoretically, the Barangay is still in contention for either first or second place in the standings. Finishing in the top two guarantees a twice-to-beat advantage in the first wave of playoffs. 

Now that Ginebra’s on a winning streak, Raymundo’s future appears to be in doubt. It would be a different situation if the Barangay was losing. Is Raymundo looking for a new home where his talents will be put to full use? Could he be a better fit in another team where he is able to play multiple positions?

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Meanwhile, rookie Chris Tiu made his second appearance in the PBA with Rain Or Shine last Sunday. He collected eight points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals with no turnover in 15 minutes in the Painters’ loss to Ginebra. Tiu came off a 10-game sit-out due to a hamstring strain. Whenever he touched the ball, the fans shrieked in anticipation of something magical. Tiu didn’t disappoint – he went 2-of-2 from three-point distance and held his own in the backcourt.

There’s no question that Tiu is comfortable in coach Yeng Guiao’s physical system. Former Gilas assistant coach Allan Gregorio said Tiu was the national team’s most physical local player during his time. Tiu himself said you’ve got to play physical to survive in the PBA. Of course, Tiu’s physicality is different from the kind associated with rugged teammates Beau Belga and J. R. Quinahan. 

“Chris is a fighter,” said Rain Or Shine consultant Andy Jao. “Before the Ginebra game, Chris had only three or four days of halfcourt practice but wanted to play,” said Jao. “If Ryan (Arana) got suspended (because of the altercation in the Meralco game), we would’ve played Chris for sure because we were already short-handed without Jireh (Ibanes). But since Ryan was available, we could’ve sat out Chris to recover some more. He’s really not in game shape yet but out there, you couldn’t tell.”

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The first team to bow out of playoff contention is Global Port which is languishing in the cellar with a 1-10 record. Global’s remaining games are against Alaska in Dipolog on Dec. 1, Air 21 on Dec. 5 and San Mig Coffee on Dec. 7.

Team manager B. J. Manalo, a former La Salle standout who was drafted by Purefoods in 2005 but never got to play in the pros because of injuries, said the Batang Pier isn’t raising the white flag although now out of the running. Gary David’s six-game absence took a toll on the team whose only win was a 105-104 squeaker over Meralco last Oct. 17. 

Reacting to rumors that coach Glenn Capacio is on the way out and David or Rabeh Al-Hussaini or both will be traded, Manalo said not true. “We’re sticking it out with coach Glenn this conference,” he said. “Same with Rabeh. It’s not often you get a player his size playing the way he does. Of course, we’d like to get a player like Japeth (Aguilar). Who wouldn’t like a combination of Japeth and Rabeh?”