Eric Wise shows promise in Barao Bull win

It certainly is quite early to jump into conclusions, but Eric Wise definitely lived up to what his father ever was in his playing days in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Eric, son of one of the all-time best imports Francois, scored 33 points, had 16 rebounds and dished off six assists while nailing the marginal free throw in a 95-94 win by Barako Bull over Meralco at the start Sunday night of the Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The former Southern California Trojan in the US NCAA snapped the game’s last tie at 94 with a free throw with 5.3 seconds left, keying the victory by the Energy, who played under Siot Tanquingcen for the first time and showed a lot of promise.
“He’s not the flashiest and he doesn’t have the best credentials, but somehow, he gets the job done,” said Tanquingcen of Wise, the second second-generation import to ever play in the PBA next to Tony Washam of B-Meg, son of Tony Washam Sr., who played for Gilbey’s Gin in the 1980s.
Francois Wise – aside from being one of the beefiest imports to ever suit up here – is now a member of the elite force of the Los Angeles Police Department. He played six years in the PBA, suiting up for U-Tex, Manila Beer, Tanduay and Hills Bros from 1981 to 1987.
Francois ended up with career averages of 36.7 points, 15, rebounds, five assists and 1.1 steals and is No. 6 in the all-time scoring list with 4,332 points, behind only such luminaries as Norman Black, Bobby Parks, Sean Chambers, Lew Massey and Billy Ray Bates.
The older Wise also ranks No. 7 in all-time rebounds with 1,769 behind Black, Parks, Chambers, Byron Snake Jones, Billy Robinson and Andrew Fields.
And the way Eric played in his debut would certainly make Francois one proud dad halfway around the globe.
Jeric Fortuna, Carlo Lastimosa and Dave Marcelo, young locals on whom the future of Barako Bull lies, got the playing time from Tanquingcen and responded with aplomb.
Used to being role players under old coach Bong Ramos, the trio contributed heavily with Fortuna, the former Santo Tomas ace, shooting 13 points capped by a booming triple that tied the count at 92 with 1:01 left to play.
Lastimosa had 10 points, while Marcelo plucked down 14 huge rebounds, had six points, three assists and two blocks.
“Jeric, Carlo and Dave are good promising young players. I’ve mentioned that to the veterans and told them to mentor these young players,” said Tanquingcen.
“I’m telling everyone if you’re open take the shot. If not, move the ball around. It took courage for Jeric to take the crucial shot. It bodes well for him,” Tanquingcen added.
The Bolts actually came back from a 21-point deficit and even led, 86-75 midway through the fourth only to lose steam in the stretch and take the stinging loss flush on the chin.
Alaska also came up with an impressive debut, ripping perennial favorite and powerhouse San Miguel Beer, 94-87, in the second game.
Import Henry Walker drained 27 points in the first three quarters before the Alaska locals finished off the Beermen.
The trio of Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio came through with big plays just when the Aces needed it in the stretch as Walker suffered from cramps and fell just one assist shy of a triple double.
San Miguel led for the last time 87-86 before losing steam as the Beermen’s slump continued. SMB bowed out in the Commissioner’s Cup after taking two straight defeats from Air21.
“We’re last in the last conference in making points, and it’s nice to see our team score 94 while holding San Miguel to 87,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“Both teams were knocked out in the quarterfinals last conference and obviously, both wanted to win. Sonny Thoss played with his heart out and proved to be a big reason why we won the game,” Trillo also said.
Thoss led all local scorers with 18 points and nearly got a double-double with nine rebounds.