Stop this nonsense - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

It’s not doing Kenneth Duremdes or Bong Hawkins any good to hold out in contract negotiations with the opening of the Philippine Basketball Assocation (PBA) season less than two weeks away.

Both Duremdes and Hawkins are represented by agent Danny Espiritu who’s so far spurned every effort of Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo to renew their deals. The discussions have dragged on and the involved parties are treading on thin ice.

Espiritu has accused Alaska of holding Hawkins hostage. Trillo explains that because of salary cap considerations, he’d like to finish the Duremdes contract before finalizing Hawkins’ deal. That makes sense. No offense meant to Hawkins but Trillo says Duremdes is Alaska’s franchise player, nobody else.

Besides, Trillo says three months ago, he offered Hawkins a three-year renewal at a monthly rate of P500,000 — the max — and Espiritu turned it down. Now, Trillo says, he can’t offer Hawkins the same terms anymore because the parameters of discussion have changed with the Duremdes impasse. Espiritu should’ve accepted the offer to Hawkins three months ago.

Is Alaska holding Hawkins hostage? Trillo says he’s given Hawkins the go-signal to consider other options. He’s even contacted teams to find out if they’re interested in Hawkins. Trillo says he’s prepared to offer Hawkins a one-year renewal at P350,000 to P400,000 even as Duremdes remains unsigned but apparently, it’s not acceptable to Espiritu. So who’s holding whom hostage?

Trillo brands as "malicious" reports that Alaska is short-changing Duremdes. He swears that he’s given in to everything Espiritu has asked for — within the limits of what the PBA allows.

There was talk of two items that Espiritu reportedly singled out as sore points in the negotiations. Trillo says the items were a car and a round-trip ticket to the US. The problem wasn’t that Alaska didn’t want to give in, explains Trillo, but that PBA Commissioner Emilio Bernardino ruled to include the peso value of the perks in the team’s salary cap computation. To include the value would’ve been problematic for Alaska considering the salary cap. So, as a compromise, Trillo suggested to make up for the value by increasing Duremdes’ won-game and team placing bonuses. Again, he was spurned.

Trillo’s wondering how some other team can offer Duremdes more than what Alaska has on the table — a seven-year, P42 Million deal. He insists that Alaska will never offer anything under-the-table. It’s not only against PBA rules but it’s also against Alaska’s principles. Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, whose integrity is unquestioned, wouldn’t stand for it.

Is Duremdes holding out for a trade? Trillo says a trade is out of the question because it’s been decided by Alaska management that Duremdes is the Aces leader, no one else.

Who’s being unreasonable? Is it Trillo or Espiritu or Duremdes?

Trillo says Alaska’s been good to Duremdes. Since Captain Marbel moved in from Pop Cola, he’s become the league MVP and pocketed four championship rings. Trading Jojo Lastimosa and Johnny Abarrientos meant a vote of confidence for Duremdes as Alaska’s leader. Trillo says that should assure Duremdes of a stellar role in the franchise. What more could a player ask for?

As for Hawkins, Trillo says there’s still a spot for the veteran on the team — if he wants it. But to be realistic, Trillo says Duremdes is the higher priority. The difference in age is a factor affecting the marketability of both players. Duremdes is only 26 while Hawkins is 33.
My thoughts? Espiritu should stop the nonsense and get real. Duremdes and Hawkins should be on the playing floor, not holding out at home dreaming of bigger bucks. Alaska’s been more than fair. It’s time to get back to work. Stop being greedy. Players should thank their lucky stars that they can still earn millions, given the state of the national economy.

Trillo says it was difficult to let go of Abarrientos. "I expected Johnny to be bitter at first and I can’t blame him," admits Trillo. "But it was time for a change — the wheel has to continue turning. At Alaska, Johnny had run out of challenges — what else was there for him to win? We felt it would be good for Alaska and Johnny to make the trade. I’m sure Johnny will be challenged this season — he’ll want to prove himself. And I’m sure he’ll do well. Johnny’s game will go up and that should mean an opportunity for him to negotiate a better contract. At the draft last Sunday, we embraced and Johnny embraced Tim (Cone), too. I hope he realizes it was for the good of everyone."

Trillo adds that free agents trying out for the team include Eric Reyes, Richie Ticzon, and Bong Alvarez. First round pick John Arigo showed up for practice the other day and impressed Cone. Second round choice Kenny Evans had practiced twice before the draft and looks like a shoo-in for a spot on the team.

Trillo says Cone couldn’t believe his luck when Arigo was still available on Alaska’s turn in the draft. He calls it hulog sa langit. "John’s like Derek Hamilton (former Alaska import) and Reggie Miller," continues Trillo. "He’s not a Danny Seigle who’ll post up — he’s more a slasher who can create. He’s quick and he can shoot. He’s got lots of potential. He’ll need to beef up — we’re putting (trainer) Gus (Vargas) on him. And Kenny’s as strong as a bull. I think he’ll settle down in the PBA after playing last year in the MBA (Metropolitan Basketball Association)."

Will Mobiline tender an offer sheet for Duremdes?

Trillo says Mobiline executive Ignatius Yenko, the incumbent PBA Chairman, assured Uytengsu there will be no offer sheet. But Espiritu has reportedly shown Trillo a piece of paper detailing Mobiline’s offer.
"Whatever is the offer, we’ll match," says Trillo.

Postscript. In last Sunday’s PBA draft, there were five, not four, ex-MBA players picked in the first round — Willie Miller, Gilbert Demape, Francis Adriano, Norman Gonzales, and Joey Mente... Second overall pick Michael Hrabak and his agent Rey Yncierto had dinner with Shell team manager Bobby Villarosa at the Megamall last night. Ronnie Nathanielsz, who arranged the dinner, said Hrabak, 21, was born in Cebu and left for the US when he was five. Hrabak, who played all positions in high school, told Ronnie he can do a little bit of everything. Incidentally, the word is Benjie Paras is back with a vengeance. Shell coach Perry Ronquillo is reportedly thinking of a huge starting unit made up of Paras at center, Hrabak at power forward, Mark Telan at the 3-spot, Tony de la Cruz at off-guard, and Chris Jackson at point guard.