Rabeh Al-Hussaini credits coaching from Marcus Douthit for improved performance at Meralco Coming into Tuesday’s match between the Meralco Bolts and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the Gin Kings’ twin towers of Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter were expected to lord it over in the paint once again. But the Bolts had a source of power in the paint of their own, outplaying Slaughter in the battle of former Ateneo champion centers to help Meralco get the 100-87 victory. Al-Hussaini finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks, dominating his matchup with top overall pick Slaughter, who had the worst line of his young PBA career with just seven points, six rebounds, and a block. A former Rookie of the Year winner who has failed to live up to his potential, Al-Hussaini has been reinvigorated since joining Merlaco prior to the season. He credited the coaching he receives from Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center Marcus Douthit for his improvement. “The one who’s mentoring me right now is Marcus Douthit,” Al-Hussaini told InterAksyon. “He comes in early for practice. He teaches me techniques on how defenders will play me.” Douthit has been joining Meralco practice to get himself into form before suiting up for the Philippine team to the Southeast Asian Games this month in Myanmar. On the side, he has taken to coaching Al-Hussaini, who has seen rapid improvement in his game, in an unofficial capacity. “There’s no really a big man coach in our team because Coach Alton Lister is gone. Coach Ryan (Gregorio) talked to him to teach me proper stance on defense, proper position in rebound, and siyempre on how to play my man,” said Al-Hussaini. “He just comes in and helps me,” said Al-Hussaini. “Ever since he came here, naging close na kami because we became teammates with Gilas before. We had a good relationship. “He’s mentoring me solid. I’m welcoming it with open arms. He’s a naturalized player and probably he’s the best center there is right now in Manila so I’ll take my chances listening to him.” -TIMRR9
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:42:31 +0000