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Perfection gone wrong

Perfection gone wrongPerfection gone wrong
Jong Uichico

STAR / File

NLEX coach Jong Uichico called Mike Watkins “the perfect import for us” but when it came down to showing up in a win-or-go-home game, the only player to average a 20-20 statline in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup was a bust. Watkins was a far cry from his previous dominant self as he scored a conference-low 10 points in Magnolia’s 112-81 demolition of the Road Warriors to snatch the last quarterfinals ticket at the Ynares Center Antipolo last Sunday.

Watkins entered the do-or-die contest as the league’s No. 1 rebounder and shot blocker. He was sensational in averaging 28.1 points and 21.3 rebounds, clearly outshining Magnolia’s Ricardo Ratliffe. But when they faced off in the elims, Ratliffe proved a tougher nut, scoring 38 points to Watkins’ 17 as the Hotshots held off NLEX, 99-95 in OT.

Last Sunday was the litmus test. Who was the better import? When the smoke of battle cleared, there was no doubt Ratliffe had Watkins’ number. Ratliffe finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks on a +27 while Watkins had a feeble 10 points, 14 boards, zero assist and four blocks on a -22. Ratliffe shot .652 from the floor and Watkins, .231. Watkins displayed a low level of intensity throughout the contest. Ratliffe, Ian Sangalang and even Calvin Abueva plucked offensive rebounds to mock Watkins’ interior presence as Magnolia had more second chance points, 15-6. Watkins walked up and down the floor, wouldn’t or couldn’t establish inside position and was a poor excuse for an import playing with the conference on the line.

NLEX team manager Virgil Villavicencio said Watkins had complained of LBM the past two days and it could’ve been why he lacked energy. “Parang nanlambot,” he said. Was Watkins fatigued after firing a conference-high 41 points against Eastern in his previous outing? But that was four days before, surely enough time to recover. Could it be Watkins was offered a juicy contract to play elsewhere and had no intention to prolong his stay in the PBA? Uichico said Watkins will require NLEX clearance to move to another team and so far, no request has been made.

When Watkins was at Penn State, it was reported that he suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. He was even hospitalized on a suicide scare. In 2017, Watkins punched a man who complained of him jumping a queue at McDonald’s and was charged with disorderly conduct. He was also accused of possession of marijuana paraphernalia and smashing a window at a burger joint. Watkins later apologized for his conduct. Given his mental history, it’s eerie that the Watkins who played last Sunday was not the Watkins who dominated in his 12 previous games. What a case of perfection gone wrong.

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