Hatfield back to boost Ginebra cast

Rudy Hatfield is back in town.

Hatfield arrived from Michigan Monday night, made a courtesy call on the San Miguel Corp. top bosses yesterday and is set to join the Barangay Ginebra Kings in practice at the Greenmeadow Gym this morning.

The 6-foo-3 Fil-Am player is to play serious ball for the first time since leaving the country last year in frustration over the status of his citizenship case.

"Obviously, he has gained weight," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico of Hatfield who briefly watched the Kings’ practice after his visit to the SMC office yesterday.

"His body bulked up maybe because of more weights (exercises) and less running," Uichico added. "For sure, he’ll feel his way around first. But we’ll see."

Ginebra team manager Allan Caidic said they’ve yet to reach an agreement about a playing contract but Hatfield is already lined up for the PBA pre-season tourney starting Friday.

The Kings start their campaign in the pre-season against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants at 6 p.m. Saturday at the San Sebastian College-Cavite gym.

Hatfield landed at Ginebra as part of the three-way trade deal among Ginebra, Coke and Air21 that also involved other players in Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis, Kalani Ferreira, Manny Ramos, Ervin Sotto, Aris Dimaunahan and Ryan Bernardo.

It would be recalled the Hatfield abandoned Coca-Cola last year despite the impending lifting of his suspension in the league.

He reportedly tried his hand in wrestling and enrolled in a fireman’s course.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty called up rookie free agent Ronnie Bughao to beef up its back court.

The Realtors are severely handicapped at point guard position at the moment with Paolo Mendoza and Jimwell Torion nursing injuries. Alex Cabagnot is facing lifetime ban in the league as requested by Sta. Lucia governor Buddy Encarnado. — Nelson Beltran