Torres to become Pingris understudy says Webb

MANILA, Philippines -- Star rookie coach Jason Webb said the addition of rookie big man Norbert Torres to the team injected the much-needed young blood into the Hotshots’ aging front court.

The 41-year-old Webb never expected Torres to land at their lap, considering that the 6-foot-6 Torres was rated among the top three picks before draft day.

But with Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao opting to choose Fil-Nigerian guard Maverick Ahanmisi in a stunning move Sunday, the draft selection for the rest of the first round was altered.

“I think it’s (Rain or Shine opting to draft Ahanmishi) a surprise, but when you look at it, I always felt nos. 3 to 9, I think was toss-up eh. But that was my opinion,” Webb told Philstar.com at the close of the Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft.

Webb said he also couldn’t make up his mind early in the first round because anyone among Garvo Lanete, Ahanmishi, Baser Amer and Glen Khobuntin could have fallen at no. 8 in the first round.

“On my no. 8 pick, gulong gulo din ako eh. Ahanmisi was on our radar as well. So hirap din ako. But I could go with Khobuntin, Amer, Ahanmishi or Lanete, though eventually, he (Torres) just fell on our
lap,” said the beaming Star freshman coach.

With Torres around, Webb said they now have a legitimate big man, who can play defense, control the boards and as a bonus, can even shoot from the outside.

“Every draft day, we just need to get better and I think, we got a little better,” he said.

“He’s got shooting for a big guy, can block shot but we like to see if magkakaroon siya ng toughness because I think that’s his main issue,” added Webb.

The rookie PBA coach, who succeeded Tim Cone for the top coaching job at Star, said Torres will serve as Marc Pingris’ understudy.