Jerry eyes new pact, Bong a comeback

Jerry Codiñera and Bong Alvarez are grizzled warriors raring to make a comeback under different circumstances.

Codiñera is still recovering from a colon surgery but hopes to get a contract-extension with FedEx and return to action in the PBA Fiesta Cup which is firing off Feb. 22. The 16-year PBA veteran arrived from Rome Saturday.

Alvarez, meanwhile, wants another PBA comeback after almost two years of semi-retirement. The high-flying guard-forward is currently trying it out with the Express.

FedEx coach Boni Garcia said he definitely has a slot reserved for Codiñera but not for Alvarez as they await the Annual Rookie Draft Friday. The Express have three picks in the first round of the exercise.

"Ang ganda ng kondisyon ni Bong. Dunk nga ng dunk sa ensayo. Araw-araw sumisipot pero wala akong commitment na maibigay sa kanya dahil loaded kami sa one and two (guard positions), said Garcia. "We’ll decide after the draft."

Alvarez played with FedEx in its first tournament in the PBA in 2002 but took a leave of absence the following tournament to tend to a business he had just put up then. He joined Talk n Text later in the year.

"Sa ngayon wala akong mapaglagyan sa kanya dahil nandiyan si Renren Ritualo at Roger Yap sa two-spot (off-guard). Sa forward, hindi naman siguro pwedeng 35 minutes ang ibigay ko kay Vergel (Meneses), tapos 12 minutes kay Bong," said Garcia.

On Codiñera’s return, Garcia said it would all depend on his recovery. He said: "Ibabalik ko lang siya pag 100 percent fit na. Mahirap na baka kung anong mangyari sa kanya, eh galing siya sa major operation."

After a series of medical tests, Codiñera was discharged from Policlinico Umberto Primo in Rome last Dec. 30. His doctors said he could start biking or jogging a month after his operation last Dec. 19.

"Little by little, pwede na daw akong mag-training by Jan. 19. Huag lang daw practice involving abdominal. Walang eksaktong date na ibinigay sa akin when to start training full blast, kaya magko-consult na ako sa mga doctors dito sa atin," said Codiñera.

But he’s hopeful he can rejoin his teammates right in the Fiesta Cup. He said: "Hindi naman tayo manghihingi ng starting position. Tinging ko kahit 10 to 15 minutes, kaya kong mag-contribute ng solid game."

Jerry’s wife Jean will negotiate with FedEx team manager Lito Alvarez for a new contract tomorrow or Friday. "Bahala na si Mr. Alvarez. Hindi naman tayo dedehaduhin niyan. One to two years, okay na ako don," he said.

At 37, Codiñera is still looking forward to continue his playing career, determined to surpass Abet Guidaben’s all-time leading record in offensive rebounds. Codiñera is only 30 short of Guidaben’s mark.

"Masarap din iyung may naiwan kang record sa PBA. Kaya ko naman sigurong maglaro pa ng mahaba-haba dahil ang feeling ko hanggang may magagaling na Fil-Ams, may trabaho pa rin ako," said Codiñera.

"No question, na-revolutionalized ang Philippine basketball noong dumating ang mga Fil-Ams. Pero naipakita naman namin na kaya naman pala silang sabayan with proper conditioning and training. Sa akin yung experience ko ang naging malaking bentahe," he added.