Sporting Chance

Of course, San Miguel Beer coach Joseph Uichico is interested in signing up crack guard Dondon Hontiveros. Who isn't? But he'd rather not comment on whether Hontiveros will join the Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) this year--not yet anyway.

There's talk that Hontiveros wants out of his Cebu Gems contract in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Gems coach Tonichi Yturri, however, isn't keen on letting Hontiveros go. Curiously, Yturri and Uichico are both products of Ron Jacobs' coaching factory.

Uichico also isn't hiding his interest in Purefoods backcourt sharpshooter Boyet Fernandez whose Hot Dogs contract has expired. "We've talked to Boyet," admits Uichico. "We're definitely interested in signing him." How Uichico plans to snare Fernandez is something he wouldn't disclose--again, not yet anyway.

Will San Miguel tender an offer sheet for Fernandez? Possibly as a last resort, muses Uichico.

Regarding the rumor that Boybits Victoria is on the trading block, Uichico says it's neither here nor there.

"We're happy with Boybits--he plays a great role for us," Uichico explains. "But we want to be fair to him even though we prefer to keep him. We realize he's too good to sit on the bench and play backup for Olsen (Racela). We're looking for a win-win situation where both San Miguel and Boybits come out ahead."

For his part, Victoria says Uichico has always been upfront in dealing with him and appreciates it.

"After the season, coach Jong and coach Ron talked to me," relates Victoria, whose contract expires this year. "They congratulated me for contributing positively to the team. I told them I don't mind playing backup to Olsen--for the good of the team. Alam naman nila, sometimes, I even tell coach Jong okay lang kung `di ako maglaro sa game kung makakabuti sa team. But if they plan to trade me, I understand it's for my future. I told them kung pwede, to trade me to Tanduay or Pop Cola, my former team, or a team that has a chance to play in the Finals."

Uichico says if a win-win deal can't be worked out, he'll be just as happy for Victoria to stay at San Miguel. "We'll try to help Boybits get the playing time he deserves, perhaps in other teams," he continues. "There's no question Boybits has the skills and experience to play major minutes in the PBA."

Victoria, meanwhile, continues to practice with the Beermen. He's a consummate pro. Whether he'll suit up for San Miguel or some other team this season, Victoria promises to give it his all on the court.

On a recent TV news report that Mike Mustre and Freddie Abuda are being traded, Uichico says don't believe everything you hear. "During the draft last Sunday, I mentioned to Mike that a team approached us asking about him," reveals Uichico. "But nothing came out of it. As for Freddie, no team has proposed a trade. We're status quo on Mike and Freddie."

Uichico expects the expired contracts of swingman Dwight Lago and reserve frontliner Onie Padilla to be renewed. "We're close to finalizing Dwight's contract--he hasn't reported for practice yet because we're still negotiating," he adds. "We'll renew Onie for sure."

Uichico notes that Danny Seigle's contract expires this year but San Miguel management has expressed interest in renegotiating his pact before the end of the season.

San Miguel's three draft picks -- Ronald Carmona, Jojo Castillo and Noel David--are working hard at practice. The Beermen work out at the Green Meadows gym every morning from 9 to 12. Uichico plans to use the 6-6 Carmona as Cris Bolado's replacement on the roster. Bolado was picked by Red Bull in the expansion draft.

Uichico says former San Miguel guard Siot Tanquingcen has joined the coaching staff. His assistant Jojo Villa is still in the US. Villa was invited to observe the Chicago Bulls' practices under coach Tim Floyd.

The coming All-Filipino Cup will be San Miguel's test of strength. Although the Beermen won the Commissioner's Cup and Governors Cup, Uichico's boys failed to make it to the All-Filipino semis last season.

San Miguel has momentum on its side. The Beermen are fresh from capturing back-to-back titles and garnered the most individual awards last campaign. Seigle was voted Rookie of the Year and Best Player in the Third Conference and made it to the Mythical Five. Racela and Danny Ildefonso were named to the Mythical 10. Abuda led the All-Defensive squad. Terq Mott and Lamont Strothers were picked Best Imports.

San Miguel team manager and Senior Vice President Alberto Villa-Abrille says the Beermen's success runs parallel to the company's breakout achievements. "On the corporate level, management has initiated efforts to increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and look for growth opportunities to get the company back on track," he says. "The synergy that management--under our Chairman (Danding Cojuangco)--has created is similar to the synergy of the San Miguel basketball team which underwent a full-steam buildup last year."

Villa-Abrille points out that San Miguel earned a net income of P2.72 Billion in the first half of the year--up 276 percent--and P1.31 Billion in the third quarter--up 113 percent.

You can't argue with success.