Purefoods in healing process
August 14, 2003 | 12:00am
Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio confessed the other day to an indiscretion where, expressing his frustrations in the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs failure to make an impact in the last three Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) conferences, he warned his players of a wholesale revamp next year.
"Were in the healing process at the moment," said Gregorio who left yesterday for Los Angeles to scout for an import. "Ive talked to the players one-on-one so we can understand each other a little better, so I can explain my vision and direction for the team. Im a young coach. Im still learning and Im making mistakes. I realize I shouldnt have said what I did. It caused some problems within and Ive had to pay the price, particularly since we already were set back by injuries. But Im confident that things are getting worked out. Were firming our relationships and were looking forward to bouncing back next conference."
Gregorio, 31, said Derrick Brown, who teamed with Kelvin Price to power the Hot Dogs to the Governors Cup title last season, will not be available for the Third Conference until the second or third week of September, if at all. Brown is under contract to play for an And 1 touring team up to Aug. 31the day after the Third Conference opensand hopes to try out for a National Basketball Association (NBA) team before packing his bags for Manila. If Brown is invited to play for an NBA team in the preseason starting October, hell pass up a return to the PBA.
The Third Conference stipulates a height limit of 6-5 for imports.
"I spoke to Derrick on the phone last Saturday and thats when he told me about his contract," said Gregorio. "He remains our best option but Ive been instructed by management to look for a replacement. If we find an import who works out, well just stick with him. Derrick wouldve been perfect for us. We were excited about him coming back because hes exactly the kind of import we needhes a scorer. Still, were upbeat."
Gregorio said after Purefoods lost four in a row in the qualifying tournament for a slot in the Invitational Championships, he called for a 10-day rest to recuperate from injuries and to regroup. The break gave Gregorio a chance to evaluate where to beef up for the Third Conference and he wound up signing free agent Ronald Magtulis, a rugged defensive player, to a three-month contract.
Gregorio said the good news is the injuries that hounded several Hot Dogs players last conference are almost all gone. "Boyet (Fernandez) is OKwere hoping the pain in his knee doesnt recur," said Gregorio. "Rey (Evangelista) is recovering well. Same with Alvin (Patrimonio) who played with an injured calf in the All-Filipino. As for Andy (Seigle), were optimistic hell be allowed to play despite the Senate findings. His Filipino lineage is unchallenged. Weve got to focus on things that are under our control. Weve got to play together as a unit. We havent done well lately so weve got to shape up."
Gregorio said the contracts of six playersEvangelista, Chris Cantonjos, Gilbert Demape, Jenkins Mesina, Egay Echavez and Richard Yeeare expiring this year. No decision has been made to retain them. Mark Victoria has already been placed on the reserve list. Players with a year left on their contracts are Kerby Raymundo, Patrimonio, Rodney Santos, Seigle, and Fernandez. Billy Mamaril has two more years and Noy Castillo, three.
Gregorio said his Los Angeles point man Chique de la Rosa is assembling 10 to 12 import prospects to play in a series of games, which he will scout. "Theyre no-name players so Im checking their credentials out in the internet before I see them," said Gregorio. "Its not enough to evaluate a player based on a tape of his highlights. Weve been burned often enough making a judgment on highlight tapes. I expect to be in the US for five to six days."
Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty coach Alfrancis Chua came back from a three-week US scouting trip last Monday with import Nate James of Duke University. James is the third Duke player recruited for the Third Conference. The others are Chris Carrawell of Alaska and Ricky Price of Barangay Ginebra. Aces coach Tim Cone said Carrawell arrived yesterday. Price planed in last Saturday.
In other PBA news, Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes said veteran import Artemus McClary has been impressive in tryouts. Reyes will decide on whether to keep McClary or look for another import this weekend.
Shell import Sedric Webber is already in town but San Miguel Beer coach Joseph Uichico, Talk N Text team manager Frankie Lim and Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said theyre still undecided on their imports. Uichico may bring back Shea Seals while Guiao is trying out Wayland White of New Mexico after sending home Mustafa Hoff. FedEx import is 31-year-old NBA veteran Darrin Hancock of Kansas.
"Were in the healing process at the moment," said Gregorio who left yesterday for Los Angeles to scout for an import. "Ive talked to the players one-on-one so we can understand each other a little better, so I can explain my vision and direction for the team. Im a young coach. Im still learning and Im making mistakes. I realize I shouldnt have said what I did. It caused some problems within and Ive had to pay the price, particularly since we already were set back by injuries. But Im confident that things are getting worked out. Were firming our relationships and were looking forward to bouncing back next conference."
Gregorio, 31, said Derrick Brown, who teamed with Kelvin Price to power the Hot Dogs to the Governors Cup title last season, will not be available for the Third Conference until the second or third week of September, if at all. Brown is under contract to play for an And 1 touring team up to Aug. 31the day after the Third Conference opensand hopes to try out for a National Basketball Association (NBA) team before packing his bags for Manila. If Brown is invited to play for an NBA team in the preseason starting October, hell pass up a return to the PBA.
The Third Conference stipulates a height limit of 6-5 for imports.
"I spoke to Derrick on the phone last Saturday and thats when he told me about his contract," said Gregorio. "He remains our best option but Ive been instructed by management to look for a replacement. If we find an import who works out, well just stick with him. Derrick wouldve been perfect for us. We were excited about him coming back because hes exactly the kind of import we needhes a scorer. Still, were upbeat."
Gregorio said after Purefoods lost four in a row in the qualifying tournament for a slot in the Invitational Championships, he called for a 10-day rest to recuperate from injuries and to regroup. The break gave Gregorio a chance to evaluate where to beef up for the Third Conference and he wound up signing free agent Ronald Magtulis, a rugged defensive player, to a three-month contract.
Gregorio said the good news is the injuries that hounded several Hot Dogs players last conference are almost all gone. "Boyet (Fernandez) is OKwere hoping the pain in his knee doesnt recur," said Gregorio. "Rey (Evangelista) is recovering well. Same with Alvin (Patrimonio) who played with an injured calf in the All-Filipino. As for Andy (Seigle), were optimistic hell be allowed to play despite the Senate findings. His Filipino lineage is unchallenged. Weve got to focus on things that are under our control. Weve got to play together as a unit. We havent done well lately so weve got to shape up."
Gregorio said the contracts of six playersEvangelista, Chris Cantonjos, Gilbert Demape, Jenkins Mesina, Egay Echavez and Richard Yeeare expiring this year. No decision has been made to retain them. Mark Victoria has already been placed on the reserve list. Players with a year left on their contracts are Kerby Raymundo, Patrimonio, Rodney Santos, Seigle, and Fernandez. Billy Mamaril has two more years and Noy Castillo, three.
Gregorio said his Los Angeles point man Chique de la Rosa is assembling 10 to 12 import prospects to play in a series of games, which he will scout. "Theyre no-name players so Im checking their credentials out in the internet before I see them," said Gregorio. "Its not enough to evaluate a player based on a tape of his highlights. Weve been burned often enough making a judgment on highlight tapes. I expect to be in the US for five to six days."
Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty coach Alfrancis Chua came back from a three-week US scouting trip last Monday with import Nate James of Duke University. James is the third Duke player recruited for the Third Conference. The others are Chris Carrawell of Alaska and Ricky Price of Barangay Ginebra. Aces coach Tim Cone said Carrawell arrived yesterday. Price planed in last Saturday.
In other PBA news, Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes said veteran import Artemus McClary has been impressive in tryouts. Reyes will decide on whether to keep McClary or look for another import this weekend.
Shell import Sedric Webber is already in town but San Miguel Beer coach Joseph Uichico, Talk N Text team manager Frankie Lim and Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said theyre still undecided on their imports. Uichico may bring back Shea Seals while Guiao is trying out Wayland White of New Mexico after sending home Mustafa Hoff. FedEx import is 31-year-old NBA veteran Darrin Hancock of Kansas.
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