Vroman’s bricks baffle Siot, Kings

Vroman’s bricks baffle Siot, Kings
BY NOLI CORTEZ
JACKSON Vroman’s free throw shooting is one big concern for Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

"Hindi ko ma-i-explain. It’s really a mystery to us. I can’t put my finger on it," Tanquingcen said after Vroman’s latest harrowing stint from the stripe, where he made just one of 12 charity tries.

Despite this, the Kings still managed to eke out a 94-91 overtime victory over Talk N Text last Sunday, stoking their drive for a high finish in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Before a crowd of close to 14,000, Rudy Hatfield scored a career-high 30 points on top of 14 rebounds and also provided the needed energy that enabled Ginebra to snap out of back-to-back defeats and improve its overall record to 4-3.

Willie Wilson also played a major role, scoring Ginebra’s last five points in the extra period, helping hand defending champion TNT its second loss in seven starts. Despite the loss, the Tropang Texters remained at the top, although they are now tied with B-Meg.

More wins by Ginebra against Barako Bull and Air21 and losses by the Texters and Llamados in their own remaining eliminations assignments should give the Kings as high as a top two finish and an automatic semifinals berth.

Tanquingcen just doesn’t know if they could realize that lofty goal with Vroman throwing bricks from the stripe.

"He’s working on it, kasama si coach Allan (Caidic)," related Tanquingcen. "Kahapon (Saturday) nga, we finished practice at around 3 p.m. Mga four na, nandoon pa si Jackson, kasama si Kerby (Raymundo), nagpa-practice ng free throws."

With his latest misses, the 6-foot-10 naturalized Lebanese’s free throw shooting has plummeted to 17-of-52 or 32.7 percent.

"It’s going to be hard to survive with him missing those many free throws," said Tanquingcen.

That has not been the case in Vroman’s previous stints in Korea and China, helping prompt Ginebra management and coaching staff to choose him as replacement for the out-of-shape Chris Alexander.

"In Korea, he was shooting around 62 percent," said Tanquingcen. "In China mga ganoon din, around 62 to 65 percent."

One factor could be the transparent plastic mask the American-born Vroman wears to protect his nose that got broken in practice. That was the fourth time this season he suffered such an injury.

Tanquingcen simply doesn’t believe the mask is the problem, however. "I think it’s more mental now," he stated.

His poor free throw shooting remained the only kink in Vroman’s game as he turned in 24 points on 10-for-16 field shooting and game-highs of 19 rebounds and eight assists while completely staying out of foul trouble that hobbled him in losses to Meralco and B-Meg.

That explains why Tanquingcen heaved a big sigh of relief after the TNT game.

"It’s far from over but it’s good that we won," he said. "Everybody’s capable of beating anybody at this time, kahit ‘yung medyo tagilid na. Kaya we just have to do our best each and every time."

Tanquingcen went into the match with his right hand heavily bandaged. "Frustration," was all he offered as an explanation, before pointing to the wall and floor as the choices of the place where he injured the hand.

Tanquingcen also would not admit it, but surely, Vroman’s current free throw shooting should take part of the blame.



Source: Malaya.com.ph