Purefoods’ special meaning for ‘ET’

There was something different in the Purefoods players’ jerseys in Game 6 of the Chunkee Giants’ best-of-7 Finals duel against Red Bull for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Filipino crown at the Araneta Coliseum last Friday night.

Instead of fallen teammate Eugene Tejada’s uniform number 33, stitched on the upper right portion of each player’s jersey was a round patch with the letters ET.

Purefoods representative to the PBA Board of Governors Rene Pardo said it was assistant coach Dayong Mendoza’s idea to replace 33 with ET.

"We didn’t like the idea of 33 because it might mean we were going to a Game 7 after a 3-3 tie so we decided on ET because those are Eugene’s initials and since we wanted to finish it in Game 6, ET also meant ‘End Tonight.’"

Pardo, 56, became Purefoods team manager in 1999 and later became governor, yielding his previous position to Alvin Patrimonio. He retired as Purefoods assistant vice president last May but San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer (COO) Ramon Ang asked him to stay on as PBA governor until his term expires in December.

During his eight years with the PBA franchise, Pardo saw Purefoods win two titles–the 2002 Governors Cup and the 2006 Philippine Cup, both under coach Ryan Gregorio.

Pardo said Tejada, who is still recovering from a spinal injury in a bad fall during a game against Red Bull last May, was advised by doctors to stay in the hospital last Friday. In his first trip outside the hospital since his fall, Tejada showed up in a wheelchair for Game 5 at the Big Dome last Wednesday. He would’ve gone to the coliseum again for Game 7.

"Before Game 6, I spoke to Eugene if he wanted to come and watch but he got tired when he came for Game 5 and doctors told him to rest," said Pardo. "He told me he would show up for Game 7 but I told him there wouldn’t be a Game 7."

Pardo said the entire team will visit Tejada at the Makati Medical Center this afternoon.

Pardo said winning the All-Filipino title was more than special.

"We won in 2002 with Derrick Brown who was the best import and we made it to the finals last conference with Marquin Chandler," said Pardo. "Critics kept saying we were only good with imports so we wanted to prove them wrong. That was a motivation for the team. Before this conference began, we were seeded seventh. Not too many experts gave us a chance because we’re not tall and we’re not quick. But what they overlooked was the players’ heart. They showed a lot of character and fighting spirit to go all the way."

Pardo said during the one-week break in between Games 4 and 5 last Sunday, he and his wife Berh took dinner with Kerby Raymundo and his wife Tina and James Yap and his wife Kris Aquino.

"Kris told me her mother, President Cory, suggested for James and her to reach out to Kerby," related Pardo. "So Kris texted me and asked if I could do something about it. I wanted to preclude any animosity between Kerby and James because of the MVP award. So we all went out to dinner at the Chateau Restaurant near Megamall and we enjoyed ourselves for about four hours."

Pardo said he was told by Kris that President Cory is an avid PBA fan and watches all the games on TV.

"President Cory prayed for James to become MVP and for Purefoods to win the title," said Pardo. "I asked Kris if she could give me an autograph from President Cory. I’m still waiting for it."

Pardo said he’s leaving the team in good hands.

"I’ve been training Alvin as a team manager," said Pardo. "He’s a quick learner for someone who never did office work before. He now writes memos, negotiates contracts and takes care of the team. He recommended extending Egay Billones’ contract up to July 31 to make him a part of our championship team and Mr. Ang approved it. Egay’s contract originally expired last June."

Players whose contracts are expiring this month are Richard Yee, Nonoy Simon, Don Camaso, Arnold Gamboa and Billones.

"We’ve got a young core and we’re ready for the future," said Pardo. "Our only veterans are Rey Evangelista, Jun Limpot and Noy Castillo who are all over 30. Jondan Salvador will be back with us next conference."

Pardo said Purefoods’ surge wouldn’t have been possible without the support of San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco and COO Ang.

"We owe a lot to Mr. Ang who gave us his all-out support," said Pardo. "He was on top of the situation the whole way. In Game 5, I think Mr. Ang phoned Mr. (Robert) Non (Assistant Vice President in charge of the San Miguel group’s basketball operations) three or four times."

Pardo said Marc Pingris’ arrival from Air21 was a blessing. "Every time, I see (Air 21 president) Lito Alvarez, I always thank him," said Pardo. "Actually, the move worked out both ways because Marc leaving Air21 gave Ranidel de Ocampo the opportunity to blossom."

Roger Yap’s return was also a blessing. Yap, Raymundo, Yee and Evangelista played on the 2002 title squad. But Yap was traded to Air21 because Purefoods’ backcourt was crowded with Castillo, Rodney Santos, Gilbert Demape and Boyet Fernandez in 2003.

"I promised Roger when he was traded that someday, I would get him back and I kept my promise," said Pardo.

After clinching the series last Friday, Pardo brought the team and relatives of the players and coaches to Dencio’s near the Celebrity Sports Plaza for a celebration until 3 a.m.

On Tuesday, the team will present the championship trophy to Ambassador Cojuangco and COO Ang after a thanksgiving Mass at the San Miguel complex in Mandaluyong.

The next day, James Yap and Kris take off for a second honeymoon in the US.

And on Friday, Pardo and his wife will go on their first trip abroad together. They’ll visit relatives in Seattle and Vancouver for a month.

Pardo will be back for the PBA draft on Aug. 20 at Market, Market in the Fort.