Two ‘unknowns’ in PBA draft

While the likes of Mike Cortez, Romel Adducul, Enrico Villanueva and Jimmy Alapag are attracting the most attention in the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft, scouts are looking out for "sleepers" who might just be the surprise stars of the rookie crop.

Two "unknowns" in the list of 67 draft hopefuls are Richard Michael and Gabe Pagtama, a pair of 6-1 guards itching to strut their wares in the PBA.

They’re expected to showcase their skills at a pre-draft camp at the SM Megamall parking lot on Jan. 10–two days before the draft at the Glorietta in Makati.

Whether Michael and Pagtama are "sleepers" remains to be seen. In hoops lingo, a sleeper is an unheralded prospect with the potential to become a star, as in a sleeping giant.

Michael, 22, was born in Manila to an Australian father, Ralph, and a Filipina mother, Delia Benitez. His parents met here in the course of doing business together. Michael’s father used to import native handicraft and furniture. His mother worked in an export company. They were married in Quezon City in 1979 by judge Perfecto Laguio, Jr.

Michael was brought to live in Australia by his parents when he was two years old. He went back here for a visit when he was 10 then returned again a few months ago with his mother.

While Michael’s mother spent three weeks in Daraga, Albay, her hometown, before going back to Australia, he stayed behind to try his luck as a basketball player.

Michael is one of three children. His older brother Ralph, Jr. died of leukemia in 1992. Younger brother Ricky, 16, is 5-11 and hopes to follow in his footsteps as a hoopster. His parents work for the Australian government.

Michael earned his spurs as a fixture for the D&D Mailing title team in the Filipino Community League in Sydney. He was Rookie of the Year and MVP in the league. D&D coach Junn Napiza said Michael developed a reputation as a defensive stopper, a rebounder with scoring skills, a quick thinker, and a court leader under his tutelage.

Michael, who does part-time modeling work, told The Star he’s ready to play in the PBA.

"I usually average 16 points and 10 rebounds," said Michael. "I could’ve tried out for the NBL (National Basketball League) in Australia but I prefer to play in the PBA since I’m a Filipino. I’m prepared to play my best to be the best. I realize there’s a lot of adjusting to do but I’m up to it. I think I play like Scottie Pippen–a player who can score, defend, and rebound. I’m comfortable shooting the three although I usually shoot from medium range. I love to dunk–that’s no problem for me. I can jump."

Michael’s agent Rellie de Leon said he was referred to the player by an associate in Australia. De Leon mentioned that Michael’s biggest asset is his leaping ability. He claimed Michael’s vertical leap was recently measured at 44 inches.

Michael said he’s used to hard work at practice. In Sydney, he said he once joined a basketball boot camp that required waking up at 5 a.m. for drills. "I’ll do what I’m asked to do," he promised. "I"ll do what it takes for me to play in the PBA."

Since moving to Manila, Michael has worked out religiously at the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) gym on Taft Avenue. He said his uncle, NBI agent Regner (Boyet) Penesa, arranged for him to play in the gym.

What drives him to succeed? "To give back to those who have helped me to get this far," he replied. "I hope to be wealthy and successful enough so that my mother and father no longer have to work."

Pagtama, 25, was voted one of the top five cagers in California when he was a freshman at Santa Monica High School. He once teamed with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s son Kareem, Jr. at Santa Monica Junior College under coach John McMullen.

Pagtama has played in various Southern California leagues with or against the likes of Mark Caguioa, Tony de la Cruz, Alapag, and Alvin Castro. His agent Chique de la Rosa said Pagtama is a deadly outside shooter who’s not afraid to mix it up inside.

When not playing, Pagtama dabbles in writing sports stories. He has written articles in several Los Angeles-based Filipino publications. He once wrote a cover story on Dave Bunevacz for the Celebrity Chronicle magazine. Aside from making it in the PBA, Pagtama hopes to someday be a radio personality and manage his own entertainment promotions company.

"Happiness for me would be to make it to the PBA, become some sort of commentator on radio, sports, MTV and be a perfect businessman," said Pagtama who travels with a Filipino passport.

As a prep senior, Pagtama averaged 18 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. He posted game-highs of 30 points and 14 assists. At Santa Monica Junior College, he gained a reputation as a dangerous long-distance gunner, hitting 40 percent from three-point range.

Pagtama said he was offered a scholarship to play for the University of the Philippines in 1996 but decided to study in the US instead.

"Hopefully, I’ll return to play in the PBA," he said after enrolling at Santa Monica Junior College.

In the Pacific Rim League for Fil-Ams a few years ago, Pagtama and Alapag were a fiery tandem for SpeeDee Oil. Pagtama fired 32 points and Alapag, 25, in powering SpeeDee to a 75-72 win over Kool Tint in a Pac-Rim game that established the Fil-Ams’ credentials as big-time scorers.

Pagtama, who idolizes Magic Johnson, was voted the best eighth grade player in California in 1991. In the All-State honor roll, Pagtama was named to the eighth grade first team while Baron Davis and Paul Pierce were voted to the seventh grade selection. Davis, of course, now plays for the New Orleans Hornets and Pierce, for the Boston Celtics, in the National Basketball Association (NBA). That was some company Pagtama kept.

Pagtama has put on some weight since his junior college playing days. His shooting, however, is just as lethal.

De la Rosa said Pagtama would’ve easily made it to an NCAA Division I school only he stopped growing. Now, Pagtama, whose father is Ilocano and mother is from Bohol, is determined to live his dream of playing in the PBA–it’s now or never.

Michael and Pagtama are among several "mystery" players in the draft.

Their skills are untested in local leagues so it’s not easy to tell if they’ll make a difference in the PBA. Are teams willing to take a chance on either or both?

Michael said he has submitted all his birth documents to the Bureau of Immigration and was told it would only be a matter of time before the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirms his Filipino citizenship.

"I’ve done everything possible to try to beat the PBA deadline," said Michael. "Unfortunately, the signatories are on holiday and my papers are stuck. I’ve been assured that my papers are being processed. It’s just not sure if the confirmation will be ready by Jan. 6. I’m hoping for the best."

The PBA has set a deadline of Jan. 6 for Fil-foreigners, like Michael, to submit their DOJ certificates of confirmation. If a Fil-foreign applicant fails to beat the deadline, he will be scratched from the list of draft eligibles.