Sporting Chance

Don Carlos Allado's star is rising in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The 6-6 forward joined Alaska in the Governors Cup last season. He was a late arrival and jumped to the pros only after leading La Salle to a second straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) title. Allado wound up averaging 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16 games in his debut conference.

Allado, who turns 23 on June 10, is slowly coming into his own at Alaska. He's scored in twin digits in three of his last four games in the All-Filipino Cup. Allado's fresh from an 18-point binge in Alaska's 91-73 win over Red Bull last Sunday.

Allado's got a lot of offensive moves. His nifty baseline turnaround jumper is difficult to stop. He drives strong to the hole and has no problem putting the ball on the floor. He works hard on defense and is aggressive under the boards. What he needs to improve on are his passing, particularly off the double team, and his footwork.

A positive attitude is what propels Allado. He's continually looking to get better.

"Playing in the PBA is a great experience," he said. "I'm learning a lot. I'm getting use to the system at Alaska. I like it. It's different. When Sean (Chambers) was around, he taught me low-post moves. Johnny (Abarrientos) and Kenneth (Duremdes) always encourage me. I'm making the most of my minutes. I'm really not expected to score--I just try to do my best in rebounding and in defense."

Allado was born here and went to Lourdes School in Quezon City for kindergarten and Grade 1. Then when he was six, he left for the US with his parents and older brother Brian.

Allado's father Caloy or Deng -- who's 6-1 -- attended the Manila Science High School then played four years for the University of the Philippines basketball varsity with Fort Acuña, Sonny Co, and Jun Bernardino under coach Fely Fajardo. He played two seasons for U-Tex in the amateurs then migrated to the US in 1984. Deng is a successful realtor in the San Fernando Valley and spends a third of his time scouting basketball players, particularly Fil-Am prospects. He visits Manila as often as his schedule allows.

His mother Joy Crisostomo -- who's 5-8 1/2 -- was a varsity player herself. She played two years for Maryknoll with teammates Isa Valles, Tonette Tongoy, and Isa Tolentino. Joy works for AT&T in the US.

"I'm grateful to my parents for their support," said Allado. "My dad teaches me a lot about the game while my mom gives me moral support."

Another big influence in Allado's career is his baptismal godfather Freddie Mendoza, a former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner. Allado lives with the Mendoza family in Alabang.

"He's part of the family," said Mendoza who dotes on Alaska's budding star with wife Marl and their three sons.

Allado's older brother Brian, 24, is a 5-10, 220-pound football player who presses as much as 300 pounds. His younger brother Andrew, 12, is a 5-10, 170-pound point guard who plays for an Amateur Athletic Union touring team in Los Angeles.

"Andrew's got good basics," said his father. "He's even better than Don was at his age. The kid's got a lot of promise. And he's still growing. He already wears size-12 shoes and Don's only two sizes bigger."

Allado started playing organized basketball when he was 11 and went to Luther Burbank High School where he averaged 14 points and nine rebounds. A tape of Allado in action was sent by Mendoza to former Archers player Carlo Gamban who passed it on to coach Ron Jacobs. Two days after graduating from high school, Allado flew to Manila and enrolled at La Salle.

More on Allado in tomorrow's issue.