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| The NBTC All-Star Game was a rather memorable one. (Photo Credit: Winston Baltasar, Sports5) |
High School All-Star Games should never be the main basis of a person with regards to his/her assessment of a player. It’s too different of a setting compared to an actual game, and of course, it’s too small of a sample size.
Despite that, High School All-Star Games are still a decent enough medium to use when assessing players. Not only is it a stage that’s more accessible to many, but it’s also a good test of how players will manage to mesh with their equally talented peers in such a short amount of time.
The NBTC held the Division 1 All-Star Game last March 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Encho Serrano of the North team was named All-Star MVP, but he wasn’t the sole player who impressed during that game. There were other prospects who were as good (or some were even better) as Serrano, yet they weren’t able to receive as much recognition as the Adamson Baby Falcons standout.
Here’s some of the prospects who impressed during the All-Star game:
Encho Serrano
Of course, before diving into other players, we have to credit the guy who was named MVP. For all the doubts people had with him, Serrano managed to show (at least for one game) that he deserves the title of being named High School basketball’s number one prospect.
He was able to do this by doing what he does best: Scoring with efficiency and not much flash. He would attack with penetrations, score off fast breaks, and grab offensive rebounds for put backs. Serrano still wasn’t able to show that he can carry a sub-par team to victory, but for one night, he showed that he can be High School Basketball’s best.
SJ Belangel
If not for the deep North team that he was faced against, Belangel would have easily been named MVP. He scored “just” 18 points, but it wasn’t necessarily in scoring where he was able to impress.
His crazy drives to the rim were impressive for many, but what was truly eye-popping was how he was able to control his scoring and passing. At such an early age, Belangel already has great decision making. He knows when to attack the rim, and when to pass it off to a teammate. He’s the epitome of a player who can take over without just scoring the basketball.
Overdribbling and a flawed jumper aside, you can make an argument that SJ should have been named the number one player in High School basketball. Based on what he showed in the All-Star Game, you can certainly give him consideration for that title.
Juan Gomez de Liano
Serrano was named All-Star Game MVP, but it was definitely Juan Gomez de Liano who iced the game for the North All-Star Team.
He was able to do this by doing what he does best: scoring the basketball. Juan GDL showed that he is indeed the James Harden of High School hoops, scoring off a variety of difficult baskets, and most importantly, coming up big in the clutch. Gomez de Liano hit a number of critical jumpers during the clutch, and eh capped it off by splitting the defense en route to an acrobatic lay-up.
Juan GDL was named UAAP Juniors MVP, and a number of people were doubting him winning. But he showed in this All-Star Game that he is indeed worthy of that title.
Troy Mallillin
Mallillin’s game isn’t exactly fit for an All-Star game. He’s better suited to shine in an actual basketball game with systems in place, where his strengths will be highlighted for their sheer effectiveness. Somehow, he was still able to impress people with his solid play.
What stood out with Troy is how much of a threat he is in the open court. He still has to work on his dribbling, but his athleticism and strong body makes him a viable option as a trailer in the fast break. In the half court setting, he still has a lot of work to do, but he’s shown that he has a jumper that can be developed. Troy is all about the development, but he showed that he’s a prospect who’s potentially worth waiting for.
Rom Junsay
Junsay wasn’t able to solidify his case as a college prospect in this game by any means. He’s still far too undersized to be a decent main guard in the next level, and he doesn’t have other physical tools which can make you believe that he can make a big splash in College.
What Junsay does have, however, is a fearless attitude. He showed this by continuously penetrating amidst the trees of the South team. He doesn’t have the biggest frame out there, but what he does is a ton of toughness.
There are still a number of holes in his game, and he’s still undersized. What Junsay has, however, is the confidence that he can shine somehow despite his diminutive frame.
Sherwin Concepcion
Concepcion showed some flashes of greatness in the SLAM Rising Stars game last year. In this year’s edition of the NBTC All-Star Game, he was able to show his full arsenal of moves, albeit in a very unassuming manner.
He’s best known as a stretch four, and there’s plenty of reason to believe that. He has a good stroke, and he moves very well off the ball. What he was also able to show was his rebounding ability, grabbing boards against the bigger South team, and using great timing to grab these rebounds. He managed to score a game high 19 points, albeit in quiet manner.
Concepcion isn’t a flashy player by any means, but he’s clearly someone who can impress with his effective all-around play.
Kamaka Hepa
The Jefferson High School standout wasn’t exactly able to dominate the competition as most people expected him to do, but he was able to show that there’s more to blue chip recruits than just dominating. Blue chip recruits can just be downright effective.
Hepa deferred to the guards of the South team, acting more as a second option. Not only was he able to showcase his polished offensive game, but he also showed his ability to pass. He didn’t dominate, but what he was able to give Filipinos a sight of what could have been.
All clips courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports and Action unless stated otherwise.
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