Reversal of fortunes

Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo said two-time Best Import awardee Derrick (Flight) Brown isn’t available to play for the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs in the Samsung Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

Pardo checked the other day and was told Brown is playing for the Toronto Raptors training squad in a US summer league. The word is Brown might be signed for the coming National Basketball Association (NBA) season. Raptors head scout Jim Kelly, who used to be a PBA coaching consultant and is married to a Filipina, set up a special tryout for Brown and three rookie prospects last month. Brown was by far the most talented player in the lot.

So if Hot Dogs interim coach Ryan Gregorio is entertaining hopes of bringing back Brown for another tour of duty here, forget it. Brown isn’t coming to save Purefoods which has lost three in a row to drop to 1-4 and is struggling to survive.

Last Tuesday, Purefoods looked like a shadow of the squad that captured the recent Samsung Governors Cup title. The Hot Dogs played listlessly, lacked intensity, and was badly out of sync. After the 19-point loss to Coca-Cola, Gregorio was understandably despondent.

"It’s a mental problem," sighed Gregorio in the Cuneta Astrodome dugout. "Maybe, a case of championship hangover. There’s no other reason to explain why we’re missing free throws and making turnovers."

Against Coca-Cola, the Hot Dogs hit only 11-of-21 foul shots and committed 19 turnovers. What a far cry from their performance at the stripe in the First Conference where Purefoods ranked No. 2 at 74.8 percent. At the moment, the Hot Dogs are dead last in the Commissioner’s Cup standings and the only team shooting less than 60 percent from the line – 53, to be exact, on 44-of-83 overall. In the Governors Cup, Hot Dogs guard Ronnie Magsanoc and skipper Alvin Patrimonio ranked 1-2 in the league’s free throw ladder.

Gregorio admitted something’s wrong in the chemistry of imports Kelvin Price and Gabe Muoneke. They’re both inside, power players. Instead of complementing each other, they fight for the same spot on the floor. In contrast, Purefoods’ combination in the Governors Cup was perfect – Brown took care of the outside and Price, the inside.

Somehow, the lackluster performance of Purefoods’ imports has rubbed off on the locals. That’s understandable. And that’s also why, Gregorio confessed, the Hot Dogs are changing at least one of their imports. He didn’t say who was on the way out.

It’s not too late to perk up things at the Purefoods camp. Obviously, the Hot Dogs need a sparkplug, a more versatile import partner for Muoneke or Price – someone who can hit the three, slash, pass, play heads-up defense and help out on the boards.

Danny Manning is available, I told Gregorio, although his knees are suspect. "I know," said Gregorio wistfully. "So is Cedric Ceballos."

While Purefoods is slumping, Alaska is rising. The Aces are coming off back-to-back wins and tote a 3-1 record.

There’s reason for optimism in the Aces camp. Coach Tim Cone took Alaska to the Governors Cup Finals and extended Purefoods to the limit before losing a closely fought series without leading scorer Ali Peek. Now, Peek is back – he played 14 minutes in the FedEx game last Saturday – and so is Jon Ordonio, rehired to displace Philip Newton. Additionally, Cone picked up E.J. Feihl and Rob Duat via trades. Feihl moved in for James Wallkvist and Duat, for Bryan Gahol. No other team made drastic lineup changes in the offseason.

Feihl, the country’s only seven-foot pro, is a pleasant surprise for Cone.

"I’ve wanted to get E.J. for years," said Cone. "Since he joined us, E.J.’s been our hardest worker at practice. He comes in at least an hour before practice, works out, lifts weights, and is the last to leave. He suits our triangle system and fits our style. His contract expires at the end of the year so I guess, that’s extra motivation for him."

As for Peek, Cone said he’ll bring him along slowly, increasing his minutes by the game. Peek is recovering from an injury that knocked him out of contention for a spot on the national squad.

With Peek back in harness, Alaska’s frontline is suddenly awesome. There’s Don Allado. Factor in Feihl. Down the line is Alvin Teng. Not to mention import Ajani Williams.

Another pleasant surprise is Duat whose all-out energy is a source of inspiration. Last Saturday, he scored a career-high 15 points to key Alaska’s 82-73 win over FedEx. Duat also played stifling defense on import extraordinaire Jermaine Walker.

In the backcourt, Cone said John Arigo is finally coming into his own. He’s matured to become Alaska’s go-to guy. Cone said Arigo’s blossoming isn’t taking minutes away from Rodney Santos who’s comfortable coming off the bench in a role that’s tailor-cut for the Slasher. And Ordonio? Cone said aside from his ball-handling ability, Ordonio plays hard-nosed defense – he did his share in cuffing Walker last Saturday despite a major height disparity. Ordonio was inked to a one-conference contract but will be likely extended up to the end of the year. He earned P350,000 a month last season and agreed to a pay cut for the chance to show he belongs in the PBA.

Veteran Jojo Lastimosa and Migs Noble provide added depth in Alaska’s backcourt. Import Chris Carrawell of Duke University plays a dual function at either guard spot.

What a reversal of fortunes for the Governors Cup finalists.