Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

I still remember the first time I saw Veejay Babe Bautista play during his Baby Tamaraw days - the kid had this incredible shooting form that just screamed potential. Fast forward to the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup season, and that potential has transformed into something much more significant. With the recent 'Veejay Pre-xit' situation creating waves across the league, I've been closely watching how Bautista has stepped up to become the undeniable face of the Tamaraws. It's fascinating how circumstances can thrust a player into leadership roles they might not have anticipated.

Looking back at last season's performance under coach Sean Chambers, the Tamaraws finished with a respectable 7-4 record in the elimination round, eventually making it to the semifinals before bowing out to San Miguel in six games. That solid foundation gives them something real to build upon this season. From my perspective as someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, what makes this particular season so compelling isn't just the usual championship aspirations - it's watching how Bautista handles this newfound responsibility. The sharpshooter has always been known for making his shots "make noise," as the old scouting reports used to say, but now he needs to make his leadership resonate just as loudly.

I've noticed in their first three games this season that Bautista's playing time has increased from last season's average of 28.3 minutes to nearly 34 minutes per game. His scoring has jumped from 14.2 points to 18.7 points, but more importantly, his assists have climbed from 3.1 to 5.4 per game. That tells me he's consciously trying to involve his teammates more, which is exactly what you want to see from someone transitioning into a leadership role. The Tamaraws currently stand at 2-1 in the early going, with that lone loss coming against Barangay Ginebra in a game that went down to the final possession.

What really stood out to me during that Ginebra game was how Bautista handled the final minutes. With the game tied and 45 seconds remaining, he could have forced a difficult three-pointer - the kind of shot he's made throughout his career. Instead, he drove into the lane, drew the defense, and kicked it out to an open teammate who unfortunately missed the shot. The decision-making showed growth, even if the result wasn't ideal. That's the kind of maturity the Tamaraws will need if they want to improve upon last season's semifinal exit.

The Philippine Cup has always held special significance in the PBA calendar - it's the only conference where teams can't use imported players, making it purely about homegrown talent. This puts additional pressure on local stars like Bautista to carry their teams. Having covered the league since 2005, I've seen how this conference can make or break a player's reputation. For Bautista, this is his opportunity to cement his status as one of the league's elite players, not just a talented scorer.

Their upcoming schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. They face Rain or Shine this Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, followed by games against NorthPort and Magnolia next week. The Magnolia game particularly interests me because they're another team banking on their local core to compete for the championship. If Bautista can outperform someone like Paul Lee in that matchup, it would send a strong message to the rest of the league.

From a tactical perspective, I'd love to see Coach Chambers utilize Bautista more in pick-and-roll situations. His improved playmaking suggests he's ready for that responsibility, and it would make their offense less predictable. Last season, they ran approximately 62% of their half-court sets through isolation plays for either Bautista or their since-departed import. With that import gone, they need to develop more creative offensive schemes.

The Tamaraws' defense has shown improvement early this season, holding opponents to just 41.2% shooting compared to last season's 44.8%. Some of that credit goes to their young big men developing quicker than anticipated, but Bautista's defensive communication has noticeably improved too. He's calling out screens and directing traffic in ways I hadn't seen from him before. Little things like that often separate good teams from great ones.

As we approach the midpoint of the elimination round, I'm genuinely excited to see how this Tamaraws team evolves. They have the pieces to make a serious run - a legitimate star in Bautista, a respected coach in Chambers, and a supporting cast that's gradually finding its identity. If they can maintain their current pace and steal a couple of games against the league's powerhouse teams, we might be looking at a dark horse championship contender.

Personally, I've always had a soft spot for teams that grow organically rather than assembling superteams through trades and free agency. There's something authentic about watching a homegrown star lead the franchise that developed him. The 2019 Philippine Cup represents Bautista's chance to write his chapter in Tamaraws history. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm optimistic he's up to the challenge. The journey begins now, and frankly, I can't wait to see how this story unfolds.