The Meralco Bolts is touted to be one of the most athletic and energetic teams in the league, especially if you combine on the floor Clifford Hodge, Sean Anthony and Jared Dillinger. All three can guard any opposing player with zest and vigor until the referees declare a dead-ball. Well, almost everyone, except the opposing center.
A strong rim-protector is what the Bolts need right now to get anything going. This is the missing link that the team needs to address if they want to get remotely productive in the next season. The problem is that it is not certain where they can find the solution player.
Picking fourth in the 2015 Rookie Draft, the Bolts has no chance of grabbing either Moala Tautuaa or Jeth Troy Rosario. Using Hugnatan or James Sena at the slot is also equivalent to committing suicide given their lack of ceiling.
The other option is to resort to age-old trading of players. However, with the dearth of high-ceiling and collective size, most of the teams will demand high return as well. At this time, the Bolts cannot afford this transaction because it would mean further depleting their very shallow and aging bench.
The only viable recourse is to fish the sea for potential free-agents and hoped that other teams took a very huge gamble in releasing these players. There’s not much the Bolts can do here, but they may want to take a small risk in signing somebody that could be a big reliever and potential project for the team – Isaac Holstein.
Holstein has been one disappointing first rounder after he was selected 7th by GlobalPort Batang Pier in the 2013 draft, but was later traded to San Mig Coffee Makers now known as Star Hotshots. In his first season with the San Mig team, the hulking 6-foot-9 center can only manage less than a point per game and almost the same number of rebounds in a 5-minute average game time.
He mildly improved his game in the 2014-2015 season after averaging 2.0 points per game and the same number of rebounds given the same time exposure on the floor, but that’s about it. The lukewarm performance is not something to really brag about, which could be the reason why he was unceremoniously dropped from the Hotshot’s roster and traded to Barako Bull for an aging Mick Pinnisi. He was later left unsigned.
One plus, however, is that Holstein exert so much effort in improving his defense, which could very well up his importance to the Bolts. Based on all indications, Holstein might be this generation’s Rob Reyes – a big guy who specializes in defense and getting a body against a formidable center. That’s not a bad thing, considering he definitely won’t be an offensive threat anytime soon. If he isn’t careful, though, he might be another James Walkvist.
A strong rim-protector is what the Bolts need right now to get anything going. This is the missing link that the team needs to address if they want to get remotely productive in the next season. The problem is that it is not certain where they can find the solution player.
Picking fourth in the 2015 Rookie Draft, the Bolts has no chance of grabbing either Moala Tautuaa or Jeth Troy Rosario. Using Hugnatan or James Sena at the slot is also equivalent to committing suicide given their lack of ceiling.
The other option is to resort to age-old trading of players. However, with the dearth of high-ceiling and collective size, most of the teams will demand high return as well. At this time, the Bolts cannot afford this transaction because it would mean further depleting their very shallow and aging bench.
The only viable recourse is to fish the sea for potential free-agents and hoped that other teams took a very huge gamble in releasing these players. There’s not much the Bolts can do here, but they may want to take a small risk in signing somebody that could be a big reliever and potential project for the team – Isaac Holstein.
Holstein has been one disappointing first rounder after he was selected 7th by GlobalPort Batang Pier in the 2013 draft, but was later traded to San Mig Coffee Makers now known as Star Hotshots. In his first season with the San Mig team, the hulking 6-foot-9 center can only manage less than a point per game and almost the same number of rebounds in a 5-minute average game time.
He mildly improved his game in the 2014-2015 season after averaging 2.0 points per game and the same number of rebounds given the same time exposure on the floor, but that’s about it. The lukewarm performance is not something to really brag about, which could be the reason why he was unceremoniously dropped from the Hotshot’s roster and traded to Barako Bull for an aging Mick Pinnisi. He was later left unsigned.
One plus, however, is that Holstein exert so much effort in improving his defense, which could very well up his importance to the Bolts. Based on all indications, Holstein might be this generation’s Rob Reyes – a big guy who specializes in defense and getting a body against a formidable center. That’s not a bad thing, considering he definitely won’t be an offensive threat anytime soon. If he isn’t careful, though, he might be another James Walkvist.
Thank you for the article regarding my son, Isaac. He is more than ready to get on his defense on the floor. He has been working very hard on it and has been bulking up. When you consider the number of minutes he played, compared to some other players, he has done fairly well. When he was with San Mig Coffee, he wasn't expected to score and when he went to Barako, apparently, he was producing too much against his former team and was sat down. When he gets the call from Meralco (and I feel he will), he'll be ready and I think the fans will be surprised with his offense as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
I ope you are right Jay. The size and height of Isaac is very well suited for the PBA. If coach Norman Black is just patient enough and could give him time to develop his skills in the court, I think he has the potential to shine at the center spot. He won't be dominating the game, but could be a game changer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Jay!
That's all we've been praying for is a chance for him to show what he can do. Everyone talks about his production but it's hard to get in the flow of the game and produce when you average only 5 mins/game. He will earn more playing minutes in practice. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it would help if you can keep us informed on what are the things he had been doing to keep in game shape and hone further his skills.
ReplyDeleteIsaac has gotten back into the gym and weight training. He has continued to work on his shooting and post play. We have talked several times about his ability to stay low, not be moved, and still be able to block out and rebound. His defense speaks for itself. He would rather block a shot than eat..lol..I just hope he get a chance to show himself.
DeleteIsaac has gotten back into the gym and weight training. He has continued to work on his shooting and post play. We have talked several times about his ability to stay low, not be moved, and still be able to block out and rebound. His defense speaks for itself. He would rather block a shot than eat..lol..I just hope he get a chance to show himself.
DeleteIsaac has left the Philippines and is back in the states. I don't think he will be coming back. He was never given the opportunity to show what he could do. With San Mig/Purefoods, he was on a well rounded team with superstars. With Barako, he was placed in reserve because the powers that be thought, perhaps, he would produce too much against other SMC teams. He was there to win, not to lose just to make other SMC teams look good. I know that corruption and politics plays a huge part with corporate sponsored teams. Its sad, really. But, as his Dad, I'm glad he's home. Just wish he had been given the chance. It will take A LOT for him to come back.
ReplyDelete