Guard suffers with change

PHARR - Many people were affected by Bob Hoffman's decision to leave the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to become head coach of the Mercer University men's basketball team last month, not the least of which was backup point guard Sergio Sanchez.

Sanchez, who played and starred for Hoffman when both were at the University of Texas-Pan American during the 2003-04 season, has seen his playing time drop dramatically since Brian Walsh took over as the acting head coach.

In the three games since Hoffman resigned, Sanchez has played 11 minutes, including a did not play-coach's decision on March 28. Sanchez's minutes have dipped despite the fact starting point guard Quannas White has missed the last two games with a bad back.

Although Sanchez was averaging a little over 11 minutes per game when Hoffman was the coach, he is handling the change in stride.

"I don't want to complain," he said. "Coach (Walsh) is real intense and he wants to win. As far as my time, it's gone down significantly. But I'm going to be going to Venezuela after this weekend (to play professionally). I'm not that bitter about it. His coaching style is his coaching style."

Walsh was not immediately available for comment Wednesday night.

Change is good

While Sanchez has seen his role diminish since the coaching change, 6-foot-5 forward Stanley Asumnu has come into his own since Walsh has taken over.

Buried on the bench under Hoffman, Asumnu averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game before Walsh took over. Since the change, Asumnu is seeing 40 minutes per game and averaging 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds.

"I've stepped up more," Asumnu said. "I'm just playing my game. It's been a blessing. I'm always prepared to go at any given time. I've gotten to play a lot more and show what I can do."

No hard feelings

Speaking of Asumnu, he had a close connection to Tuesday's NCAA women's championship game in which Tennessee defeated Stanford 64-48 behind Candace Parker's 17 points and nine rebounds. Asumnu went to Tennessee and during his time there dated Parker - for two years.

They are no longer an item, but Asumnu says the two remain in contact.

"We text each other and we call each other every now and then," Asumnu said. "I'm really happy for her. She's a hard worker and we'll always remain friends regardless of what happens."

That being said, Asumnu left little doubt as to who would win a one-on-one game between he and the current Lady Volunteer.

"I would," Asumnu said without hesitation. "We never played, but I would win. She would probably laugh if she sees this, but I would win."

Todd Mavreles covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.