robbyRise player SPOTLIGHT #1 [Sam Bautista] - July 22nd '08

I've decided to start writing about certain players at certain times when they catch my attention. Players dat make an impact to the game. Players that play a major role on their team.

First spotlight, goes to Sam Bautista.A player i first noticed in 2006. During the Nutley Summer league. I tagged along with Coach Marco when he was running with TLC. Before his game was amateur game between my boy Bernard Bustos team and Sam's team, Basics. I was cheering hard for my boy Bernard's team, but that Basics team was something else. When they put this little kid in, my bro and marky told me that he was only 14 years old. At first i wasnt impressed, but i noticed that even under the pressure and the fast pace of the amateur division, this kid was holding his own. Handling the ball, playing pressure defense, he made himself known to robbyRise.I didnt get to see him play in Glendale Heights, but i learned he was the reason North Jersey made noise in the Bantam division. From fans and players of SIPAG. I slowly started to respect him when his rivals from NY-SIPAG praised him for his game. Yet, i still did not get to see this baller at his full potential.Winter 2007, i begin blueprinting my plans for Assembling a Juniors select team to bring to Boston for an invitational tournament. I wanted to get core players from the SIPAG Junior team, main players from the SIPAG Bantam team, and then i wanted to bring along the Fil-Am Phenom AJ Pizon from North Jersey. I asked him via AIM and he was very interested. It was then when he asked me if he could bring a friend. I told him straight up that i didnt want him bringing no scrub. and i remember his exact words from the IM, "Nahh he aint, you wont be disappointed. Your players kno him..." At first, i didnt know who it was. But he told me his name, Sam Bautista. I remembered him from Nutley, and the kind words spoken of him from the SIPAG players. So i considered putting him on the team. But then it hit me, i realized putting him and Marlon Sim on the same team would be a first. Bringing together 2 of the best PG's in NABA of their division.


So i pushed for Sam to play, got in contact with him and it all came along from there. He attended the practices, squashed any unfriendly tensions with his new teammates and earned his NYCE Uniform. Boston. Spring '08 - We won championship. Going home i reflected on the team. And tried to run through how everybody performed. I remember, Sam was never selfish on the court. Sam didnt bug me for minutes on the bench. Sam did what i asked on both ends of the court. As point guard on offense, he used his leadership by dishing out more assists than committing turnovers. And on defense, he brought the intensity of the NJ game as he played up top on our 3-2 zone. It gave me a sense of pride for being given the opportunity to coach a tremendous athlete. And i acknowledged that with him. I had alot of pride saying he was a player of my NYCE team.


Spring '08-Summer08. We had the mutual Coach-Player friendship. We kept in touch and let each other know what our teams were up to from players, games, and all that. Kalahi Championship - I go to support the SIPAG Junior team, and also to see my NYCE players square off in a SIPAG/North Jersey showdown. It turns out to be a ridiculous game. It had the NABA amosphere to it. From the intensity of the game to the roars of the crowd.


It was a typical SIPAG-North Jersey rivalry game, as both teams went back and forth, forcing the game to 2 overtimes. It was in the 2nd OT, where i finally got to see Sam Bautista at his full potential. The kid took over. Bringing himself to another level, since the main scorers on his team had fouled out, he did what any normal MVP candidate would do, he simply took over. Scoring at will, taking his arch nemesis Marlon Sim to the basket. As gay as it sounds it was very touching to see Sam do a tremendous job by himself. Yes, i was in huge shock and dispair to see the team i was cheering for faulter, failing to put yet another Kalahi championship in the bag, but another part of me felt happy for the player who had eaten the dust of SIPAG in numerous occasions. Why Sam Bautista as first player in my player spotlight?His talent on the court, equals his sportsmanship and character. Speaking to him just minutes ago, i learned more about how humble and genuine this fierce and deadly ball player is. Speaking sincere words of his friendly rivals. Praising his arch nemesis, Marlon Sim, for his talent and athleticism. Talented and hearty athletes dont come around often. Sam definately portrays the definition of sportsmanship. An athlete that many can learn from, both on and off the court.


It is surely a pleasure being able to say i Coach him. And i'm pretty sure it's a privledge to be his teammate. He is young, still learning and expanding his game. But i assure you, he is definately a player you would want your children to look up to. I know i will be telling my kids about him in the future. Keep your eye out for Sam Bautista