Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

I still remember the first time I watched Veejay Bautista play during his college days with the FEU Tamaraws - even back then, you could tell this kid was special. His shooting form was pure poetry in motion, the kind that makes that satisfying swish sound that echoes through the arena. Fast forward to today, and we're looking at a completely transformed player who's about to carry the weight of an entire franchise on his shoulders in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup. The schedule's just been released, and let me tell you, this might be one of the most exciting seasons we've seen in recent memory.

The Philippine Cup kicks off on January 13th with a double-header that already has fans buzzing. We've got Rain or Shine facing off against Phoenix at 4:30 PM, followed by what promises to be an absolute thriller between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia at 6:45 PM. Now, here's where it gets really interesting for Bautista and the Tamaraws - they're scheduled for their first game on January 16th against Blackwater at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. What makes this particularly compelling is the timing, coming right after what everyone's calling the 'Veejay Pre-xit' - that period where rumors were swirling about his potential transfer before he ultimately committed to staying with the team.

Looking at the full schedule, there are 14 teams competing across three main venues - the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, and Ynares Center. The elimination phase runs through March 10th, with each team playing 13 games. I've crunched the numbers, and the Tamaraws have what I'd call a moderately challenging schedule - they've got 7 home games and 6 away games, which could work in their favor if they can capitalize on that home court advantage. Their toughest stretch comes between February 20th and March 3rd, where they'll face three top-tier teams in rapid succession. This is exactly where Bautista's leadership will be tested the most.

What really struck me while analyzing this schedule is how much pressure Bautista must be feeling right now. Back from his days as a Baby Tamaraw, the sharpshooter has always been one to make his shots make noise, but even more so now after the 'Veejay Pre-xit.' I've watched this league for over fifteen years, and I can tell you that moments like these either make or break a player. Bautista needs to acknowledge and accept that he is the face of the Tamaraws - and it will be up to him to guide his side to an improvement on their solid start under coach Sean Chambers a year ago. Remember last season? They started 4-2 in their first six games but finished at 7-7 overall. This time around, with better roster continuity and Bautista stepping into that leadership role, I'm predicting they'll hit at least 9 wins in the elimination round.

The quarterfinals are scheduled to begin on March 12th, with the semifinals starting March 26th. If my projections are correct, the Tamaraws should comfortably make it to at least the quarterfinals, possibly even further if Bautista can elevate his game to that next level we all know he's capable of. Their crucial matchup against defending champions San Miguel Beermen on February 15th could very well be the game that defines their season. Personally, I think this is Bautista's moment to cement his legacy - he's no longer just that promising young shooter from FEU, he's the main man now, the franchise player who needs to deliver when it matters most.

What I love about this year's schedule is how it sets up these narrative arcs for players like Bautista. The league did a fantastic job creating compelling matchups throughout the season - there are no easy games, but there are definitely games that will test character more than skill. The Tamaraws have three back-to-back sets in their schedule, which I've always believed separates the contenders from the pretenders. How Bautista performs in those second games, when fatigue sets in and legs get heavy, will tell us everything we need to know about his growth as a player and leader.

As we approach the tip-off, I can't help but feel this might be the season where we see several players, Bautista included, take that leap from good to great. The schedule is demanding, the competition is fierce, but the opportunity is there for the taking. From where I'm sitting, having followed Bautista's career since his UAAP days, this feels like one of those perfect storm situations - the right player, at the right time, with the right schedule setup to really make some noise. The Philippine Cup has always been about discovering which players can handle the pressure, and this year, all eyes will be on whether Bautista can transform from being just a sharpshooter to becoming the true leader the Tamaraws need him to be.