Purefoods taps ‘The Gladiator’ - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Since 1997, Purefoods coach Eric Altamirano has tried to convince seven-year National basketball Association (NBA) veteran David Wood — dubbed "The Gladiator" by Barcelona fans — to play here. But somehow, their paths never crossed.

Altamirano didn’t give up hope. A month ago, he tried again and invited Wood — playing for Baloncesto Fuenlabrada Madrid — to fly to Manila when the Spanish league ends late this month. Altamirano offered Wood a contract to suit up for the Hot Dogs in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Second Conference starting June 3.

At first, Wood hesitated. He said it was unfair for him to ask his wife Angie and three children to be away from home so long. If he plays in the PBA, it will mean eight straight months of playing ball overseas — counting back his stint in Spain.

Money wasn’t a factor, Wood insisted. If he comes, it would be for Altamirano with whom he shares a common bond as athletes in the world-wide Victory Christian Fellowship. Besides, former NBA player Dave Jamerson — a Christian minister who often visits Manila — spoke to Wood in Altamirano’s behalf and encouraged him to play in the PBA.

To accommodate Altamirano, Wood thought of a compromise for his family. From Spain, his wife and kids would go home for a month while he flies direct to Manila. Then, they’ll all get together here in July.

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The deal was close to being finalized when Wood saw pro-Estrada loyalists storm Malacañang on CNN TV last week. Alas, he got the shivers and backed out.

In desperation, Altamirano sought the assistance of Manila-based Victory pastors Steve Murrell and Rice Brooks who subsequently phoned Wood long distance to assure him that things were back to normal here. After praying for guidance, he finally agreed.

"We’re really excited he’s coming," said Altamirano. "He plays his last game in Spain on May 23 and plans to leave for Manila after two days so I expect him to be here on the 27th or 28th. He was just named the league’s Player of the Week. He took his team — 4-22 last season — to the playoffs for the first time. He recently went up against the league’s No. 1 import Devin Davis and scored 16 points and took down 12 rebounds while limiting Davis to 10 points and 10 rebounds."

Davis, the former Alaska import, was wooed by at least three PBA teams to play in the coming Commissioner’s Cup but declined to come as he is booked to undergo knee surgery as soon as the Spanish league ends. Another ex-PBA import Stephen Howard is playing in Spain.

Altamirano showed a five-minute video of Wood’s highlight clips to his players the other day and the Hot Dogs locals were impressed by his shooting ability, rebounding, defense, passing, and intensity. There were dunks, triples, and buzzer-beaters in the film. Clearly, this white man can jump.

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Wood, 36, saw action for Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Golden State, Phoenix, Dallas and Milwaukee in the NBA although he was never drafted. His single-game NBA highs included 27 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocked shots. Wood scored his career-high 27 points on 10-of-12 field goals, including 3-of-5 triples, for Houston in a game against Orlando in 1990.

Wood was a 6-1, 124-pound stringbean when he was a high school sophomore then bulked up to 6-5, 165 pounds as a senior in 1983. He scaled 190 pounds at Skagit Valley Junior College but his weight plummeted to 172 after his appendix burst before zooming to 6-8 and 200 during his two years at the University of Nevada at Reno.

In 1998, Wood played for the US team that took the bronze medal at the World Championships in Athens.

Wood may not look like Russell Crowe but if "The Gladiator" plays as fiercely as the actor fought in the award-winning movie, he could be in line for the PBA’s version of an Oscar — the Best Import trophy.