H-Bomb coming soon

National player and popular pro cager Rudy Hatfield is coming back to town after a long absence.

Although the H-Bomb hasn’t decided if he’ll return to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), his agent and confidante Bill Rosmarino says it’s possible.

"I think he’s open to play," says Rosmarino. "He’s got a lot of good playing years left. His contract has expired but Coca-Cola still retains his rights. When he comes back, we’ll sit down and talk. The Coca-Cola guys, like Rafi (Reavis), miss him and his intensity."

Rosmarino says it’s a good sign that Hatfield has lately been asking about developments in the PBA.

When Hatfield left Manila last October, it didn’t seem like he would come back at all. He sold whatever he couldn’t bring to the US. He gave up his condo unit and got rid of his car. The timing for his departure couldn’t have been worse. The night before, he found out he could again play in the PBA.

Hatfield, 28, and five others were suspended by the league after the Department of Justice revoked their certificates of recognition as Filipino citizens and ordered their deportation. Subsequently, the citizenship status of three of the five was reaffirmed. Hatfield, Asi Taulava and Mick Pennisi were cleared while Alex Crisano, DaVonn Harp and Jon Ordonio weren’t.

Hatfield hasn’t played since scoring 13 points in Coca-Cola’s 92-84 win over San Miguel Beer in the 2004 Philippine Cup. The game was played on Oct. 17, 2004. Coca-Cola was 3-1 with Hatfield in uniform and 6-10 without him in the conference.

Rosmarino says Hatfield tried to forget about basketball and even enrolled in a pro wrestling school.

"Rudy wanted to do the things he dreamed of when he was a kid," says Rosmarino. "He lasted only a day in wrestling school. Then, he went to a school for firemen."

Hatfield finishes his fireman’s course this Friday.

"It’s looking like he will come back for a visit then decide (what to do) when he’s here," says Rosmarino. "He was asking me to check on a few things so I presume (he’s coming back). He wanted me to check on his non-basketball case and find out if he can re-enter the country without a problem."

Rosmarino says there’s nothing sure about Hatfield’s plans.

What might get Hatfield’s basketball juices flowing again is the Tigers’ 2-0 start in the Philippine Cup. The Tigers finished dead last in the previous conference and that, too, should spur Hatfield into thinking of playing again because he’s a warrior who never backs down from a challenge.

Is Rufa Mae Quinto still in the picture? Or is Hatfield out of the picture?

Rosmarino declines to comment on the H-Bomb’s private life.

"Mahirap na," chuckles Rosmarino, an American who speaks Filipino.

Does Rosmarino know that Rufa Mae and visiting World Boxing Council lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria have been exchanging text messages lately?

"Ganoon ba?" says Rosmarino. "Talagang mahirap na mag-comment. Magaling na boxer si Brian."

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Retired Citibank employee Erick Tuason, a founding member of the Herman’s Hermits Fans Club of the ’60s, phoned yesterday to announce a diehards’ reunion in preparation for the legendary pop band’s arrival.

Herman’s Hermits are performing at the Araneta Coliseum on March 17 and the Manila Hotel on March 18.

Tuason, 56, says he hasn’t been in touch with the other diehards for over 30 years and he’s calling on Gilda Orbeta, Esperanza Lopez, Imelda Barbosa, Grace Chute, Alicia Banzon, Deo Bernardo and Jun Sariaga to get together.

"I’m not sure if they’re still living in Manila or if they’re still alive," says Tuason, now a credit card and loan agent for several banks. "But I’m hoping we can all reunite to welcome back Herman’s Hermits."

Tuason said he watched all the British Invasion acts perform in Manila in the ’60s and kept souvenir programs, records and other memorabilia in his closet for decades. His attachment to keepsakes paid off. A few years ago, he sold his Beatles concert program for $500 on ebay and was offered $1,000 for his ticket.

"I had a lot of souvenirs but they got lost or damaged through the years," said Tuason. "But I still have some 16 magazines and albums of the Zombies and Dave Clark Five."

Tuason said when Herman’s Hermits performed at the Big Dome in June 1969, he eluded a security cordon to put a lei of flowers around Peter Noone’s neck on stage.

According to Tuason, Herman’s Hermits performed four shows in two days at the Araneta Coliseum in 1969–three years after they skipped Manila to play in Bacolod, Cebu and Davao.

Another ’69 witness Betsy Cowper swore Herman’s Hermits were in Manila for four shows, including two matinees on a Saturday and Sunday. Ed Finlan, Eddie Mercado and Boots Baker were the hosts and Maggie de la Riva, Wendy Collinson and the Tiongco Brothers were in the bill.

"Herman was newly married (to French girl Mireille Strasser) and that’s why his wife was very possessive," recalled Betsy.

The coming Herman’s Hermits tour won’t be their first in Manila but Herman hasn’t performed here in nearly 40 years.