"We’re in the healing process at the moment," said Gregorio who left yesterday for Los Angeles to scout for an import. "I’ve 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. I’m a young coach. I’m still learning and I’m making mistakes. I realize I shouldn’t have said what I did. It caused some problems within and I’ve had to pay the price, particularly since we already were set back by injuries. But I’m confident that things are getting worked out. We’re firming our relationships and we’re 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. 31—the day after the Third Conference opens—and 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, he’ll 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 that’s when he told me about his contract," said Gregorio. "He remains our best option but I’ve been instructed by management to look for a replacement. If we find an import who works out, we’ll just stick with him. Derrick would’ve been perfect for us. We were excited about him coming back because he’s exactly the kind of import we need–he’s a scorer. Still, we’re 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 OK–we’re hoping the pain in his knee doesn’t 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), we’re optimistic he’ll be allowed to play despite the Senate findings. His Filipino lineage is unchallenged. We’ve got to focus on things that are under our control. We’ve got to play together as a unit. We haven’t done well lately so we’ve got to shape up."
Gregorio said the contracts of six players–Evangelista, Chris Cantonjos, Gilbert Demape, Jenkins Mesina, Egay Echavez and Richard Yee–are 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. "They’re no-name players so I’m checking their credentials out in the internet before I see them," said Gregorio. "It’s not enough to evaluate a player based on a tape of his highlights. We’ve 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 they’re 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.