THE BIG ATTITUDE ( Enrico Villanueva )

He can knock you down with just one punch. His stare can make you a little bit uncomfortable. His stunningly good look does not defy who he really is. He can easily push or outbody you. Although not a certified trash talker, but give him trash and trash he will give you. And lastly, he is bigger than you.

Wide bodied as a bull yet surprisingly quick, he can carry his body and jumps high that he almost beat KG Cañaleta in a slamdunk contest. Very seldom for him to pass a game without a rattling dunk.

He is so quick for his size, achieving an All-Star and having a championship ring in just a very short period of time. Thanks maybe to his long time teammate Larry, they got a very fluid offense together.

Criticized for his leadership as looking for much needed point late in the game, he let’s his teammate involve and he remains to be focused on winning every game. And not on scoring points.

Offensively, he can be overpowering in the low post and  his footwork inside the shaded line makes him hard to guard.  Dunking the ball is his favorite in between escape.

Defensively, playing smart basketball needs not to be only good offensively but to stop your opponent or limiting their ability to make points . Even big guys like Taulava can’t shake his defense. Outrunning the opposition on fastbreak as quick as an ordinary guard.

One area of his game that remains a work in progress is containing his emotions. He is so much involve and too much focus on the game that sometimes explode that beat his knowledge of game.

He is said to be a bad guy and has a big attitude problem. He punched a Korean in Brunei Cup that almost cost a melee. It was reported that Red Bull requested a change in hotel to avoid Team Korea to retaliate.

In the last Asian Champion’s Cup, he got a kick from former San Miguel import Stephen Johnson in trying to pacify RP team teammate Yancy De Ocampo. He pulled him on the other side of the court, in trying to retaliate, just like mopping a dirty wet floor.

But past is past, he already talked to Commissioner Noli Eala and reconciled with Joseph Yeo. He must have learned professionalism the hard way and maturity is needed for him to succeed .

If given the chance, he should be in the National Team and ready to play. Being a good person does not diminish his love of the game. Now that had already overcome those issues, he should let his monstrous game do the talking .

Let the Eagle spread his wings!

Let the Eagle fly!