Sporting Chance

Dino Aldeguer was Purefood's first round pick in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft this year but the former La Salle star guard has been left out of the Hot Dogs practices.

Aldeguer's agent Caloy Allado told The STAR yesterday Purefoods coach Derick Pumaren intimated that he has plans for the Welcoat spitfire. Pumaren said he's working on a "project" but didn't elaborate.

Allado said he suspects Pumaren is negotiating a trade that might open up a slot in the Purefoods roster for Aldeguer. Could it be a trade involving Boyet Fernandez, rumored to be on the wish list of several PBA coaches?

But if Pumaren has Aldeguer in mind for the future, why hasn't the guard been invited to practice?

Allado said during the recent Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Finals, Aldeguer was excused from reporting to Pumaren for practice. When the Finals ended, Pumaren never called Aldeguer.

So what gives? Purefoods tendered an offer for Aldeguer to keep his rights and prevent him from turning into a free agent after the draft. If Pumaren is interested in Aldeguer, what's holding him back?

Allado said he's talked to some PBA coaches just in case Purefoods leaves Aldeguer out in the cold. The problem is the rosters are nearly filled up with the PBA opening less than two weeks away. So it's possible that Aldeguer may wind up teamless by default. That would be tragic particularly as Aldeguer has the potential to mature into a solid pro.

Will Allado consider a Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) option? He's not ruling out any option at this stage. There's also the possibility of Aldeguer continuing to play for Welcoat and joining the club when it enters the PBA next year.

Aldeguer had lots of brilliant moments at La Salle where he gained an enviable reputation as a steel-nerved clutch shooter and go-to guy. Surely, Aldeguer deserves to play in the PBA.

Allado, a former University of the Philippines varsity cager, lives in the US. Aside from Aldeguer, Allado manages Shell Fil-Am Tony de la Cruz and of course, his son Don.

Talking of Purefoods, the Hot Dogs won an abbreviated contest over Alaska at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong last Friday. Alaska coach Tim Cone walked out early in the fourth period after an elbowing scuffle involving Joey Loyzaga and Boyet Fernandez. And it was only a practice game.

Spectators said officiating was inconsistent from the start. Cone couldn't take the calls and decided to throw in the towel early. He walked up to Pumaren on the Purefoods bench, shook his hand, and motioned to his players to pack up.

After the practice game, Alvin Patrimonio and Dindo Pumaren were overheard marveling at new recruit Noy Castillo's professionalism. The Golden Boy has been a tireless horse in camp. Against Alaska, Castillo sizzled from three-point range and staked the Hot Dogs to a double-digit lead.

Incidentally, Purefoods frontliner Andy Seigle and brother Danny leave for the US this weekend to attend their sister's wedding. They'll be gone about five days.

Meanwhile, Shell has lost two practice games in a row, 74-71 to San Miguel Beer and 80-76 to Sta. Lucia Realty. The Zoom Masters, however, played without Benjie Paras, nursing a bruised heel.

Shell shot only 24-of-41 free throws in bowing to Sta. Lucia at the newly-refurbished Celebrity Club, formerly the Celebrity Sports Plaza, last Saturday afternoon. Gerry Esplana missed two foul shots down the stretch to seal Shell's doom. Aside from Paras, Jun Marzan (sprain) and Rommel Santos (a relative died in Bustos, Bulacan) didn't see action.

Coach Perry Ronquillo suited up Fil-Am Tony de la Cruz who looks like actor Robby Benson (remember the hoop movie "One On One?"). De la Cruz, whose father is Filipino and mother is American, is deadly driving down the baseline. He likes to post up in a mismatch and spin towards the hoop. De la Cruz has a shooter's touch from the outside.

For Sta. Lucia, rookie hotshot Paolo Mendoza netted 14 points. Watch this kid -- he can shoot the lights out of the gym. Ronnie Magsanoc didn't play because of a hand injury.

Coach Norman Black couldn't be happier. The Realtors are responding positively to his defensive reorientation. New recruits Rob Wainwright, Chris Tan, Cheng, and Mendoza are playing sweet music with holdovers Dennis Espino, Noynoy Falcasantos, Richard del Rosario, Mike Orquillas, Jack Santiago, and Gerard Francisco. Sta. Lucia's practice players are Jonas Mariano and Nani Demegillo.

Sta. Lucia plays Mobiline on Thursday and either San Miguel or Ginebra on Saturday in other practice games.

Finally, Danny Ildefonso inaugurated a restaurant he co-owns with four others, including sportscaster Anthony Suntay, in Sucat last Sunday. It's called Danny's. Food is excellent and reasonably priced. At the opening was Nic Belasco, proud father of a newly-born son Nico.