Beware of TNT, says Singletary

MANILA, Philippines - Talk ‘N’ Text is the team to beat in the PBA Governors Cup, said Barako Bull import Mike Singletary the other day, and it’s because prolific Tony Mitchell is virtually unstoppable. The Texters are 1-1 so far and battle Meralco at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow with three of their four Gilas stars expected to report for duty.

“Any team with a guy who can dump 50 points on you has to be tough,” said the 24-year-old Singletary who played in Belgium, Uruguay, Greece and Montenegro before landing here. “We lost to them in overtime without their national players. When they come back, they’ll be tougher to beat.” Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Larry Fonacier are set to return to action tomorrow. Jimmy Alapag is still on vacation in the US.

Singletary led Barako to its second straight win, 103-94 over Air 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena last Sunday and took Best Player honors. He compiled 41 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 42 minutes. Singletary hoisted eight three-pointers, connecting thrice, but never lost his aggressiveness in driving strong to the hole as he hit 14-of-19 from the line. Besides his heroics, coach Rajko Toroman drew solid efforts from Ronjay Buenafe and Danny Seigle who scored 18 each, Emman Monfort who compiled 12 points and six assists, Mick Pennisi who grabbed 10 boards and Keith Jensen who shadowed import Zach Graham down the stretch.

“The PBA is the most physical league I’ve ever played in,” he said. “In Europe, the guys are bigger, stronger but they’re skilled players, 6-10 bigs who shoot threes. Personally, I like the physicality. It’s about survival. My teammates keep reminding me to play through it, don’t wait for the calls even if you get fouled. I’m getting used to it. In my first game, I cramped near the end of regulation. I hope it doesn’t happen again. What makes the PBA so challenging is how every team goes out there to win. That’s the way I like it.”

Toroman said Singletary is finally getting recognition for what he can do on the court. “When he played in Belgium, his team was 0-11,” said Toroman. “He also played in a small league in Montenegro which is where my wife (Tanya) is from. He never had big numbers. But in the PBA, he’s showing his talent. We play him in either position three or four depending on the match-up and where he can be more effective in scoring points.” Assistant coach Bong Ramos said Singletary isn’t a ball hog. “He’s a team player,” said Ramos. “We like him because he plays within our system. He just doesn’t go one-on-one. He works hard and it makes him better.”

Singletary played four years with Texas Tech and averaged 12.7 points as a senior. In the NBA D-League, he averaged nine points and four rebounds, a far cry from his PBA norms. Singletary collected 41 points and 21 rebounds in his Barako debut, spoiled by a 118-113 overtime loss to Talk ‘N’ Text last Aug. 16. He bounced back to lead the Energy Cola to a 90-89 squeaker over Meralco with 28 points and 14 rebounds.

Singletary, a Christian who leads Barako in prayer before and after a game, said he enjoys playing with Barako. “Danny and Mick, our veterans, give me a lot of advice,” he said. “They’re a comedy team and when Dorian (Pena) came in, he brought the act to a different level.” Obviously, Singletary gets along with his teammates.

A little-known fact about Singletary is Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight went to his house in Humble, Texas, to recruit him for Texas Tech in 2007. “Coach Knight saw me in an open camp while I was in high school in Kingwood,” said Singletary. “He asked if he could come to our house. Coach Knight came with his son Pat and another assistant coach Chris Beard. My mom and I met them. My younger brother was home but didn’t come out from his room upstairs. I think he was more intimidated than me.” Knight stayed in the house for two to three hours, trying to convince Singletary to commit.

Singletary said he was offered college scholarships by a slew of schools. “I turned down a lot of offers,” he said. “A few days after coach Knight visited, I went to Texas Tech and I immediately fell in love with the campus. It was a perfect fit for me. Of course, I remembered what coach Knight told me, that he’s a hunter who’s good with a shotgun and if I don’t sign up, he’ll hunt me down.”

Singletary played a season under Knight before his son took over. “He actually coached us half the season but because of health issues, slowed down in the last half and let his son Pat do the coaching although he stayed visible, guiding us, advising us,” said Singletary.