Shooting coach awaits Phone Pals

A highly-regarded shooting coach who has sharpened the skills of National Basketball Association stars Kobe Bryant, Keith Van Horn, Stephon Marbury and Tim Thomas will work on the Talk ‘N’ Text squad during the Phone Pals’ training sessions at the Cypress Warriors High School gym in Los Angeles.

Dave Hopla–who knocked down 500-of-500 free throws in an exhibition at the 2001 NCAA Final Four in Seattle–will join former University of Las Vegas at Nevada coaches Bill Bayno and Jerry Tarkanian in the TNT workouts.

The Phone Pals left in four batches for the US. Team manager Frankie Lim and coach Joel Banal departed last Saturday. Kahi Villa, Mark Telan, Vic Pablo and Bong Ravena took off with assistant coaches Virgil Villavicencio and Josel Angeles last Sunday. Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag, Patrick Fran, Felix Belano, Yancy de Ocampo and Harvey Carey went with assistant coaches Ariel Vanguardia and Aric del Rosario last Monday. Willie Miller, who couldn’t get his US visa earlier, left yesterday.

TNT’s rookie draft picks Nino Gelig and Chris Guerrero, who were signed to one-year contracts, skipped the trip.

The group returns on Feb. 2.

Bayno, who coached TNT in two conferences two years ago and returned briefly on the bench last season, is assembling a group of import candidates who will play four tune-up games against the Phone Pals. Banal will choose from the candidates whom to bring back as TNT’s import for the Fiesta Cup starting Feb. 22. The height limit for imports in the transition conference is 6-8.

Hopla played as an import in Europe and South America for six years. He coached the New Jersey Jammers in the United States Basketball League and gained a reputation as the world’s most sought-after shooting coach.

At the TNT camp, Hopla is expected to teach the proper shooting technique. He will demonstrate stroke mechanics and conduct drills on footwork, hand and elbow positioning–what he calls "two-eyed" shooting–how to shoot off the dribble, lateral ball slide movement and how to consistently hit free throws.

Meanwhile, Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo disclosed that John Arigo has agreed to a 3 1/2 year contract extension at the maximum monthly salary of P350,000. Trillo initially offered a three-year deal and later added another six months after obtaining clearance from Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala. Trillo explained the PBA’s adjustment from a calendar to a fiscal year allowed the six-month extension because of the transition period this season.

Trillo said Alaska coach Tim Cone will leave for the US early next week to scout for the Aces’ import in the Fiesta Cup. At least four candidates are in Cone’s list. Two of them are 6-7 Philip Ricci of Oregon State and 6-7 Matt Barnes of UCLA. Barnes was the Memphis Grizzlies second round pick in the 2002 NBA draft.

Trillo said Alaska has released Jon Ordonio, Alvin Castro, Migs Noble and Richard del Rosario. Noble was picked up by Barangay Ginebra on waivers and reported for his first Kings practice last Monday. Del Rosario is still recovering from an injury and will not be able to play until October.

Trying out for slots in the Alaska lineup are former Ginebra guard Rob Johnson, Celino Cruz and David Friedhoff.

Trillo said Alaska’s three rookie draft picks will likely be inked to contracts. First round choice Sonny Thoss is in line for a two to three year deal. Second rounder Willy Wilson will probably be offered a two-year contract and third rounder Bern Franco, a one or two-year pact.

Alaska will undergo a team-building exercise at the Highlands and the San Miguel Corp. training facility in Tagaytay starting Friday. The team plans to drop by Southwoods on the way home Sunday.

On Arigo, Trillo said he assured the crack off-guard of a spot in the team. "We told John we want him," said Trillo. "We’ve had a couple of good meetings and we’re moving forward."

Trillo described the 6-7 Thoss, the tallest player in this year’s draft, as an outstanding project. "Under Tim, he’ll learn how to play the game," said Trillo. "He’s got long arms and good moves. He runs the floor well. The talent is there. He just needs a little polish. He definitely improves our frontline rotation with Ali (Peek), Don (Allado) and E. J. (Feihl)."

Trillo said he was relieved that Thoss was still available when Alaska’s turn to pick came in the first round. "Sonny never practiced with any other team so we really wanted him," said Trillo.

As for Wilson, Trillo said he doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. "Willy doesn’t look to score," he said. "I expect him to get his playing minutes. He’s a good defender and he knows the game."

Trillo said Franco reminds him of Noli Locsin in his prime. "He’s a banger," said Trillo. "He’s strong. He’s not afraid of anybody. But outside the court, he’s humble."

With Stephen Padilla signed to a two-year extension, Trillo said there’s room for only one more player in the roster. The choice will boil down to either Johnson or Cruz.