Saturday, September 12, 2009

Is Caidic still worthy of a spot in the RP team? Guiao certainly thinks so

YENG Guiao waited for 10 years to get the services of The Triggerman Allan Caidic.

Unintentionally, the fiery mentor forced the record holder for most number of points and most number of three-pointers in a single game to an early retirement.

Guiao waited for nine years more to fulfill his wish of finally handling the deadshot lefty and it was truly worth the wait.

Caidic sank five three-point shots in one quarter a day after he torched the hoops during their team’s only practice session and Guiao is truly convinced the 1990 Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player has yet to lose his magic stroke.

Now the all-pro, Powerade-Pilipinas mentor is pondering the possibility of including the Ginebra Gin King mentor to the squad in major Asian basketball tournaments.

No, not to scout for the team or join Guiao’s coaching staff, but to play a special role for a team that badly needs his shooting prowess.

That is, of course, if Caidic puts his heart into it and makes himself available.

“Definitely, he has the talent,” said Guiao, referring to the 45-year-old Caidic’s natural shooting ability.

“Puwede pa talaga siya sa RP team because player of his caliber is the one which we lacked in FIBA Asia Championship. Of course, the biggest question there is kung willing ba siya na maglaro? If yes, he can play a special purpose for the team,” added Guiao, whose team lost to the NBA Generation, 86-109, in an exhibition game at the Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

That special purpose Guiao was referring include Caidic playing the role as the designated hitter for few minutes, which will be enough to give the team a big lift.

Guiao, who was delegated to handle a selection of past and present PBA Stars, was amazed by Caidic’s excellent marksmanship. During the PBA Selection’s first and only practice session, he buried 10 triples, giving Guiao an impression that his number can be called anytime.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

How much do you love your country? It's worth P18.6-million


WHEN money talks, everybody listens.

Especially, when it’s worth a whopping P18.6-million for three years.

No wonder, Japeth Aguilar turned down a promising and possibly a fruitful career in the Philippine Basketball Association and instead decided to bring his act to the Smart-Gilas basketball team backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and bankrolled by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan.

A highly placed source told VFTPR that the 6’9” former Western Kentucky University player was offered a whopping three-year contract by the team handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

Toroman was the former coach of Iran when the team won its first ever FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball crown.

The same source said Aguilar is set to get P350,000 in his first year, P500,000 in his second and P700,000 in his final year with Smart Gilas, more than doubling the P8.7 million Burger King, the PBA team which drafted the 22-year-old cager, offered him.

The Whopper’s offer, which was the maximum salary allowed for a rookie, was rejected by Aguilar’s camp.

Not long ago, Aguilar, who played both for the Smart-Gilas team and the all-pro Powerade-Pilipinas men’s basketball team in the FIBA Asia Championship and William Jones Cup this year, was so excited to join the draft.

He applied for the PBA Draft and issued his intent to enter the pro league during the Powerade Team Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin.

But what the sudden change of heart remained as a big puzzle for PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

“It remains a mystery to me,” said Barrios during the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave., Tuesday.

Barrios said that Aguilar’s camp may be right in saying that they don’t have a commitment in the PBA as well as Burger King as they didn’t sign a contract. But the official said that there are things to be considered more than just the rules and regulations of the pro league.

“I don’t think the issue should simply just focus on the rules and regulations or whether Aguilar has a commitment with the PBA or Burger King. It’s how you do things with a sense of propriety,” added Barrios.

“It’s about being fair – to the PBA and the team which picked him up. The thing is, the case is more sensitive because he is the top overall rookie pick and that a team is building its future around him.”
Barrios also disclosed that the PBA gave Aguilar the needed assistance to fulfill his dream of turning pro and treated him like a rock star.

“We are talking here of a six-figure allowance that was even bigger than the contracts of many players in the PBA,” said Barrios. “He was given perks that other members of the Powerade Team Pilipinas did not enjoy.”