Samigue Eman: The “sleeping” giant

September 24, 2009 | Posted by Benjie

PHOTO COURTESY: BASKETBALL.EXCHANGE.PH

Samigue Eman is one of the most underrated players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 2^nd overall in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft by Magnolia Beverage Masters, now known as San Miguel Beermen. Standing 6’9, Samigue was born on March 12, 1982. He spent his college years at the University of Mindanao in Davao City. Coming from the same city where Eman hails from, he’s a source of pride whenever I go on a trip outside Davao.

The only time I came across with Samigue in person was sometime in November 2001. It was during the grand opening of SM City Davao.  He was still a skinny and a wide eyed behemoth that towered over hundreds of people that lined up across the hallway of the newly-opened mall.

It feels so bad that for two seasons in the PBA, Eman has not been given the opportunity to reach his full potential.  Playing for San Miguel Beer, he had a hard time sharing quality minutes at the frontline along with Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi and Danny Ildefonso. In the 2008-2009 Fiesta Conference of the PBA, he was fielded in just 6 out of the 27 games the Beermen played averaging less than 7 minutes a game. With this scenario, I don’t think anybody could maximize his talents.

I believe that given enough playing time, Eman could produce better numbers in the record books. I would even bet that he can dominate the frontline better than the way Marlou Aquino did during his prime. Samigue is still a star on the rise.  I think I share the same sentiments with the other Eman hopefuls to call on the Beermen to awaken the “sleeping” giant.

Categories: PBA | Tags: Dorian Peña, Marlou Aquino, Mick Pennisi, Samigue Eman, SM City Davao, University of Mindanao | 2 Comments »

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