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| (Photo Credit: SLAM Philippines) |
But if there's a room that is incredibly underrated, it's the press room. It's in that room where members of the media discuss a number of things related to sports. There's discussion of facts. Of course, rumors are thrown into the fray, with most of these being pure speculation. Then, there's the #MAMARU analysis of the members of the media.
Inside the Press Room hopes to get you fans closer to the discussions which the media have. What this part of the blog hopes to bring are those three things which I mentioned above: The news regarding a particular issue (in short, the facts), some of the rumors which have been circulating around circles (of course, this is a part that will be moderated), and the analysis.
First off, let's talk Troy Mallillin.
The Facts
After the Green Archers' blow out win against the Perpetual Help Atlas, Coach Aldin Ayo was asked regarding the case of Troy Mallillin. He then answered, "I haven't talked to him personally. Pero I think he left already. Wala, 'di ko alam." Communication between the two has also been virtually non-existent ever since Troy's reported departure.
Other facts to take note of are: Troy did not play in his first game with DLSU in the Filoil tourney, BUT he was present. In DLSU's game against Perpetual, he was nowhere to be found. It's safe to say that Troy has decided to leave Taft.
Regarding rumors (more on that later) of him going to UST, Coach Boy Sablan quickly denied this according to ABS-CBN Sports' Norman Riego. Sablan mentioned, "'Di po totoo yan. Wala po sa amin si Mallillin."
Another important fact to take note of with all of this: Nothing is final regarding where a kid will play/study for college until he gets to enroll in the school of his choice. Just because someone makes a commitment to a school doesn't mean that someone will always follow that commitment. That was definitely the case with regards to Troy and DLSU. We'll have to wait until August to get a firm hold of where Troy is going for college.
Another important fact to take note of with all of this: Nothing is final regarding where a kid will play/study for college until he gets to enroll in the school of his choice. Just because someone makes a commitment to a school doesn't mean that someone will always follow that commitment. That was definitely the case with regards to Troy and DLSU. We'll have to wait until August to get a firm hold of where Troy is going for college.
The Rumors
This is where it gets spicy (of course!).
There has been a number of rumors swirling around as to why Troy decided to leave the Green Archers. But if there has been one thing which has continued to be discussed, it's the rumor that the reason behind Mallillin's departure is because of his desire for playing time. Given La Salle's immense depth in the forward positions, getting a ton of playing time just wasn't going to happen.
So, which leads us to the question: where to, Troy? The number one school which has been in discussions is the University of Santo Tomas. In fact, Coach Aldin Ayo himself said regarding which school Troy is going to, "UST ata. I think he went to UST." This was supposedly the very first school which Troy approached with regards to playing in college.
Another strong contender which has come out for the services of Troy are the NU Bulldogs, which has two blue-chip recruits themselves in John Lloyd Clemente (ranked #2 in his class) and Jonas Tibayan (ranked #4 in his class).
In the discussions for Mallillin's services as well are the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but their involvement in Troy's recruitment hasn't been as noisy compared to UST and NU. Ateneo hasn't secured a commitment from anyone in the Class of 2017, so if ever Troy does decide to take his talents to the Blue Eagles, he would be the first recruit of Ateneo.
The Analysis
Since Troy wants playing time, let's take a look at how he would fare in the three schools he's been rumored to be linked to: Ateneo, NU and UST.
With Ateneo, it's safe to say that they're the least likely team to get Troy. Not just because of fit in the team with regards to X and O's, but also with Coach Tab Baldwin's taste with players. Troy is a guy who's more athleticism than smarts. That's not to say Troy is a dumb player by the way. Mallillin is just the kind of guy who relies a ton on his physical gifts to be able to produce.
When it comes to getting minutes, it would be pretty tough for Troy. He'd be competing against Big Mike Nieto, Vince Tolentino, Raffy Verano and Shaun Ildefonso. Mike, Raffy and Vince are three guys who have managed to gain the trust of Coach Tab, so it's highly unlikely that Troy is put in as a main guy for the Blue Eagles. Troy would have to show Coach Tab that his blend of athletic ability and power are more useful compared to the shooting and leadership of Nieto, the versatility of Raffy, and the experience and playmaking of V. Tolentino.
When it comes to the NU Bulldogs, it's a bit tricky. NU is a team that is rebuilding after losing a number of key pieces over the years, but at the same time, they're rather loaded when you think about it. Other than still having Matt Salem on board, the Bulldogs just so happen to have two Top 5 players in the Class of 2017: John Lloyd Clemente and Jonas Tibayan. Those two players happen to play the same positions as Troy, so that would create quite the logjam between the three. He's arguably the most raw among the three, but at the same time, he has the highest upside. Competition isn't as tough as Ateneo, but it would be difficult nonetheless.
Let's talk about the team many are projecting Troy to go to: The UST Growling Tigers. In a minutes perspective, it totally makes sense. UST is depleted. There's no other way to sugar coat it. They were already done for after Season 79, and suddenly, they lose two of their key players in Renzo Subido and Embons Bonleon due to various reasons. Enter Troy Mallillin, the savior of Espana?
Troy would get minutes here. No doubt about. If we were to just talk about minutes, then UST would be the easy choice for Troy. But should minutes be the sole basis of Troy when choosing what team he should play for in college?
Minutes matter. But as a FRESHMAN, who's just about to enter the collegiate basketball arena, development matters as well. The question which Troy has to answer when choosing his college is, "Which school can I get to play for, but at the same time, be developed under?"
In Ateneo, he will definitely be developed. Just look at the job Coach Tab Baldwin has done to that team. He managed to turn a formerly overweight/undersized Mike Nieto into one of the best role players in the league. The problem? He might not get the heavy minutes which he desires for so much. In the long run, he might get those minutes, but we have to remember that wings like Dave Ildefonso and Jason Credo are still in the pipeline for Ateneo.
In UST, he'll definitely get minutes. But with regards to development? Given Coach Boy Sablan's track record, it's not looking too good. Let's talk about this under the assumption that Coach Boy doesn't improve on his performance from last season. Alright, Troy will get a ton of minutes beside Steve Akomo. He'll arguably be the best local in the team, and as a result, he'll get a ton of touches. But will he be developed to the level which he wants to be in? Playing time helps in developing someone, but it can only do so much. A proper program is what will truly develop a player's skills.
Which then brings us to NU. The minutes situation there is tricky, but it's not as bad as Ateneo. Given Coach Jamike's love to press, there's a big chance he chooses to play Troy over Jonas as his forward. He won't get starter-level minutes, but he'll be a key cog nonetheless. With regards to development? Jamike has proven himself to develop guys well enough. Ever heard of Robert Bolick? He was a guy who turned from rags to riches arguably because of Coach Jamike. It's safe to say then that Troy would be in safe hands if he decides to take his talents to Sampaloc. You get a decent amount of minutes, plus you're developed. That's win-win.
Ultimately, it's up to Troy to decide where he will go. He'll get the most minutes in UST, but development could very well be a flop. NU is a safe option to go to, but he might not get developed to the best of his abilities. With Ateneo, development is very well a lock, but getting minutes is going to be a challenge.
Ultimately, it's up to Troy to decide where he will go. He'll get the most minutes in UST, but development could very well be a flop. NU is a safe option to go to, but he might not get developed to the best of his abilities. With Ateneo, development is very well a lock, but getting minutes is going to be a challenge.
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