Sporting Chance

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa boarded the Asiana Airlines flight bound for Manila in Seoul last Tuesday morning and as he took his seat, found Purefoods coach Derick Pumaren sitting in the same row.

The flight originated from Los Angeles where Derick checked in.

Of course, they recognized each other. Gerry's a rabid hoops fan - he knows who plays for which teams. One of his favorite players - La Salle's Dino Aldeguer - has applied for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft and Gerry hopes he'll enjoy a successful pro career. Dino's uncle Tony was Gerry's first manager and remains an active supporter.

And who doesn't know Gerry? Derick asked if Gerry got back his crown from In Joo Cho. He still hadn't heard the sad news.

Derick was in the US for two weeks. His brother Jojo has moved from Chicago to Los Angeles to set up a home health care service. Derick said he flew in to help out in starting the business and to watch Fil-Am prospect Kenny Evans of San Francisco State play.

Evans, 25, has applied for the PBA draft. His father Leon is from the Bahamas and mother Maria Arlinda Base is from Cebu.

Derick said Evans drove to Los Angeles from Santa Barbara County, about 1-1/2 hours away by car, to scrimmage. Some La Salle players from the UAAP seniors title squad and former Archers now living in Los Angeles got together for the game. Derick's brother Franz brought in his La Salle players - minus those seeing action in the Philippine Basketball League - for a short visit. Derick flew back with three of the varsity players last Tuesday.

Purefoods picks third overall in the draft this Sunday. So Derick said he's not sure if Evans will still be around when the Hot Dogs make their first choice.

"He has a nice shot, can dribble and drive, shoots from three, has passing skills," noted Derick. "But he doesn't jump too high and he's got short arms." Derick said he expects Evans to be tapped in the first round.

Another Fil-Am prospect Derick scouted was Ryan-Jay Reyes, a junior at Artesia High School in the outskirts of Los Angeles. Artesia is a nationally-ranked prep power and is coached by Wayne Merino who has produced the likes of Ed and Charles O'Bannon. Reyes was described by Slam Magazine as an NCAA Division I talent.

"Reyes is about 6-1, still a little raw," said Derick. "We'll see how he progresses. He's got a year left of high school ball." Unlike Evans who is a mestizo, Reyes is a full-blooded Filipino.

Derick said the Purefoods players with expired contracts are E. J. Feihl, Boyet Fernandez, and Dongking Sasuman. "We expect to renew E. J. and Boyet - we're still not sure about Dongking," he disclosed. "We lost Edmund (Reyes) in the expansion draft so we've got gaps to fill." Alvin Patrimonio has two more years left in his contract, added Derick.

What about the reported trade involving Marlou Aquino and Andy Seigle?

"We're open to the possibility," he said. "But we've got to be able to talk to Marlou before discussing a trade. Ayaw naman makipagusap ni Marlou. I've been in touch with (Barangay Ginebra coach) Allan (Caidic). I heard Allan signed up (Ronald) Magtulis."

As for Franz, Derick said he was told new Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black plans to invite the Archers mentor to join the Realtors staff. Norman and Franz were a pair at Pop Cola last year. The scuttlebutt is former coach Adonis Tierra will slide back down as Black's assistant. Tierra's backups Jojo Villapando and Ricky Cui may be released to accommodate Franz. There is also talk that Black will bring in Fil-Am Rob Wainwright from the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Wainwright is a close friend of Black's adopted son Chris Tan.

What about Purefoods' high-tailing "Fil-Am" Al Segova? Derick said when he was in the US, Segova never made contact. It looks like he's disappeared into thin air like a phantom. Curiously, Segova's agent Jerald Wrightsil also represents Wainwright. Could Wainwright be an impostor, too?

Derick said the Hot Dogs' strength and conditioning coach Dan Rose will be back this year. "He's done a lot for the team," continued Derick. "A missionary friend introduced me to Dan who's a missionary himself. Dan really knows his stuff."

Derick has reason to look forward to a fruitful season for Purefoods this year.