The 7-Foot-7 Tower in the Horizon: Sam Deguara to Titan?
The rumors are beginning to take shape as the PBA prepares for the 50th Season’s second conference. While the Philippine Cup is currently in its semifinal peak, whispers from the "kuliglig" suggest that the Titan Ultra Giant Risers are eyeing a monumental addition to their roster.
The name on everyone's lips? Samuel Deguara, the 7-foot-7 Maltese-Italian giant.
The plan is reportedly contingent on his performance in the upcoming Dubai International Basketball Invitational, where he will be suiting up for the Zamboanga Valientes alongside former NBA top pick Anthony Bennett. If Deguara impresses in the desert, Titan might just pull the trigger on a contract for the next PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Allure: Unleashing the Beast
On paper, the fit for Deguara at Titan is tantalizing. With the PBA Board recently confirming that the Commissioner’s Cup will have no height limit, the Risers have the rare opportunity to field the tallest player in PBA history.
Rim Protection: Deguara’s mere presence would effectively "shrink" the court. Opposing guards would find the paint inaccessible, turning Titan’s defense into a fortress.
Maximizing Abueva: Perhaps the most exciting prospect is how this affects Calvin "The Beast" Abueva. With a 7-foot-7 anchor behind him, Abueva can play with reckless abandon, gambling for steals and pressuring the ball full-court, knowing that if he gets beat, the tallest man in the world is waiting at the rim.
Positional Freedom for Dionisio: Aris Dionisio has often been forced to play "up" in position due to team size needs. With Deguara at the 5, Dionisio can move to his natural Small Forward (#3) spot, where his shooting and length provide a massive mismatch against smaller wings.
Why It May Not Work
Despite the "video game" potential of this lineup, history has shown that extreme size in the PBA is often a double-edged sword.
1. The Pace Problem
The PBA is arguably the fastest league in Asia. Teams like TNT, San Miguel, and Ginebra thrive on transition and "drag" screens that force big men to move laterally. Deguara, while a force in the half-court, has historically struggled with mobility. If teams run a relentless "track meet" against Titan, Deguara could become a defensive liability who gets played off the floor.
2. The Conditioning Factor
Playing 35+ minutes in the humid, high-intensity environment of the PBA is a different beast than the shorter stints of the East Asia Super League (EASL) or the Taiwanese leagues. At 315 lbs, the toll on Deguara's joints over a grueling conference schedule is a legitimate concern for any coaching staff.
3. Clogging the Paint
While Deguara provides second-chance opportunities, he also occupies the same space that slashers like Abueva and Joshua Munzon need to operate. Without elite 3-point shooting from the rest of the roster to stretch the defense, the paint could become too crowded for Titan's own offense.
The Verdict: A Calculated Risk
Signing Sam Deguara would be the ultimate "high-risk, high-reward" move for a young franchise like Titan. It would immediately make them the most talked-about team in the league and a nightmare matchup for teams without a massive center.
However, success will depend entirely on Coach Pido Jarencio’s ability to build a system that masks Deguara's lack of speed while exploiting his legendary reach.
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