The Final Score: A new Beerman in a new place

San Miguel, down by four, had possession with under two minutes left in the game. With plenty of time to shoot and little reason to rush, the ball went to Rabeh Al-Hussaini. Al-Hussaini was alone, top of the key, no Alaska defender within miles, with a decision to make. What did his new teammates want? What were San Miguel fans expecting? Should he pass? Or should he take the open jumper to justify his involvement in the most sensational trade of the season? "Dati pag naiisip ako kung ma-trade ako, siguro madali lang yung feeling," Al-Hussaini admits. "Kapag nangyari pala talaga sa'yo, hindi maganda yung feeling. Hindi dahil hindi ko gusto sa San Miguel. Sino bang malulungkot 'pag napunta ka sa San Miguel? Para kang nasa Disneyland nga 'pag dun ka napunta. Pero mahirap yung, kumbaga, bagong simula." For Al-Hussaini, everything is new again. New uniform. New expectations. New shoes, quite large ones, to fill. The only pair of big shoes he has ever had to fill before was his own. He's thrilled to play for San Miguel. But the thrill hardly softens the edges of anxiety. "Ano nagpapakaba sa akin? Yung fans unang-una," Al-Hussaini says. "Syempre nawalan sila ng superstars eh. Grabe, ang bibigat kasi ng mga pangalan na pinalitan namin. Sino ba naman kami diba? So kapag hindi gumana yung trade, kami pag-iinitan." The honeymoon period between Al-Hussaini and San Miguel isn't over. It hasn't even started. He feels homesick, in a way. He misses the camaraderie of his former team. He misses the comedians too; Wynne Arboleda, Wesley Gonzales, Leo Najorda and Marcy Arellano. He wonders if life as a Beerman and his occupation as professional basketball player will be just as fun. Yet, he also wonders if the blockbuster trade was really meant to be. "First time makalaban ko San Miguel as a rookie, kausap ako ni Danny Ildefonso," recalls Al-Hussaini, "Sabi niya, 'Sana sa amin ka na lang.' Tapos second time, nakalaro ko na naman siya, sabi niya, 'Alam mo dapat sa amin ka na lang talaga eh.' Sabi ko, 'Idol 'wag naman ganyan parang hindi pa yata pwede.' Tapos itong last game namin, nung tinalo namin sila, sabi niya sa akin pabiro, 'Huwag ka na maglaro, sa amin ka na.' Tapos unang practice ko with San Miguel, sabi niya sa akin, 'Sabi ko sa'yo eh, dito ka mapupunta eh.'" Perhaps, in the frenzy of a crucial possession, Al-Hussaini felt he was also meant to go for it. He fired. He missed. They lost. He instantly saw Jay Washington frown. He immediately felt the glare of disappointed fans. Rookie mistake. New SMB recruits Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra all aim to make better decisions under duress and enjoy life as Beermen, eventually. But Al-Hussaini hopes fans and teammates will give them time. "Sana matanggap ng San Miguel fans kaming tatlo. Yun lang yun. Kasi talaga namang gagawin naman namin lahat para manalo." - GMA News