Hatfield, Arboleda back in harness?

MANILA, Philippines - Hard-nosed players Rudy Hatfield of Barangay Ginebra and Wynne Arboleda of Air21 will be back on the PBA hardcourt soon.

Hatfield, a Fil-Am player who opted to sit out the last two PBA seasons, finally rejoined the Kings yesterday, reporting for practice upon his arrival from the United States.

“Yes, he’s back. But there’s no guarantee he’ll play right away. We’ll look at his playing condition first. He joined us in practice this morning (yesterday) to review our patterns,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“He looks okay. I can’t say if he’s gained weight. Maybe, he bulked up just a little,” Uichico added.

Hatfield had played six PBA seasons before thinking of embarking on a new job back in the US. He has career averages of 13.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in 227 games with Tanduay, Pop Cola, Coca-Cola and Barangay Ginebra.

Arboleda, meanwhile, could be reinstated before the end of the season.

The Air21 guard has formally appealed the Commissioner’s Office for the lifting of his suspension after having attended several community services.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, however, decided to defer his decision until the end of the month.

Arboleda submitted to the Commissioner’s Office a letter of appeal last March 25 along with a letter of support signed by the team captains of the 10 PBA teams.

Before making a verdict, Barrios said he would review and study the merits of the appeal, as well as get an update on the legal cases.

Arboleda, in his appeal, said he was part of basketball clinics in Metro Manila and Laguna and also assisted in Airfreight 2100’s medical mission in Kalibo, Aklan, blood donations to the Red Cross and other relief operations. – Nelson Beltran