“GILAS-ables”
is a series of articles that will discuss different players who could make a
case for joining the Gilas pool. This series will include Fil-foreign players
plying their trade in other leagues, the US NCAA, and the PBA.
We kick
off this series with a surprise entry: NLEX’s blossoming forward Sean Anthony.
PLAYER
INFO
Name:
Anthony, Sean Michael
Team:
NLEX Road Warriors
Height:
6’ 6”
Weight:
200 lbs
College:
McGill University (Montreal, Canada)
STATS
Career:
8.75
points per game, 5.77 rebounds per game, 1.95 assists per game
2015
Season:
20.5
points per game, 12.8 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game
WHY HE SHOULD BE IN THE GILAS POOL
If you have been watching the current PBA season, then you
know why Sean Anthony should be included in the Gilas pool. He has more than
doubled his career averages in points, rebounds, and assists and have shown a
ferocity in his game that the PBA has not seen from him before.
The big man from McGill seemed destined to be a journeyman
reserve but has recently dominated the opposition that is reminiscent of a
young Benji Paras. In a blazing start to his season, Anthony logged
double-doubles in NLEX’s first five games, before barely missing out on a sixth
double-double (19pts, 9 rebounds). More importantly, NLEX is among the top PBA
teams, with a 4-2 record, above traditional powerhouses like Barangay Ginebra,
Talk ‘N Text and Purefoods.
That being said, Sean Anthony needs to show that he can
sustain his fiery form, seeing as this year is the first time he’s been able to
dominate the PBA in his five year career. He’s got to prove that he isn’t just
a flash in the pan, and that this is real Sean Anthony.
Anthony also isn’t the most athletic or most talented
forward out there but he is certainly one of the hardest working. Armed with a
relentless motor, he is able to out position, outhustle, and outthink his
opposing number for points and rebounds.
This is very important, because he’s got to outplay players
who bring the same kind of skillset to the table. That means going head-tohead
with the likes of Ranidel de Ocampo, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes
and Ian Sangalang and winning those match ups.
One more thing going for Anthony is that he’s a capable
defender, making up for his lack of speed with a sneaky physicality. He
definitely isn’t afraid to mix it up underneath the rim and has a knack of
getting the ball in the bucket under great duress.
In a nutshell, he’s like an offensive-minded Marc Pingris:
hard working, physical, relentless, energetic. And that’s one type of player I’d
certainly like to have in the Gilas pool.
Follow me at
Twitter: @SportadoPH
No comments:
Post a Comment