Sporting Chance

Early last Monday, Dino Aldeguer left home to go to the Alabang Town Center. It's been his ritual the last two months to leave his B.F. home before 9 a.m. He'd either go to a gym to shoot baskets by himself or think about his future over a cup of hot chocolate at Starbucks. Dino didn't like staying at home -- that's how depressed he was. He'd get calls from friends asking what happened to him -- why wasn't he playing? He'd rather be alone.

In the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft last January, Dino was the third overall pick -- Purefoods' first round choice. He showed up for three Hot Dogs practices but when coach Derick Pumaren couldn't give him a guaranteed contract, he wondered if Purefoods was the right team for him.

There was some talk that Tanduay and Alaska were interested. Neither team, however, called.

Dino's agent Loy Allado -- Don's father -- tried desperately to find a team for him. But no takers. What Loy got was a paper signed by Pumaren releasing Dino unconditionally the moment a team expressed interest to sign him up. Pumaren had a standing offer for Dino to ink a one-year contract as a Purefoods practice player.

Dino never lost hope. He prayed hard and sought guidance from God. Loy, meanwhile, had gone back to the US where he lives.

Last week, Dino spoke to Luigi Tabuena -- whom he calls Tito Luigi -- to ask for advice. Dino and Luigi are both born-again Christians who go to the New Life Christian Center in Alabang Hills.

Luigi is the son of former Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Louie Tabuena, the ex-Letran cage star in the pre-war era. He's involved in project promotions and has an addiction for golf. Luigi was a crack football player at La Salle and is an avowed sports nut.

Luigi drew up a list of PBA teams and asked Dino to make a choice. Which team would he like to play for? His first pick was Alaska. Dino said he'd learn a lot from Johnny Abarrientos whom he idolizes and Tim Cone whom he respects. Plus, he'd be with Allado with whom he played four years at La Salle and two at Welcoat in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

So Luigi phoned Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo to find out if Dino could get a tryout. No, Luigi wasn't taking over as Dino's agent. He was just trying to help. Joaqui, after all, was a buddy from their La Salle schooldays. Joaqui agreed that Dino should be playing, not roaming around the Town Center, and promised to study how to fit him in Alaska's salary cap.

Then came Abarrientos' injury last Friday. The Flying A was grounded after suffering a partial tear in his right knee and will be out about a month.

While Dino was aimlessly walking around the Town Center Monday morning, he got a call on his cell. It was Luigi on the line. Joaqui had phoned to ask for a meeting and said Alaska would make an offer. Luigi told Dino to bring his playing clothes to an 11 a.m. meeting at Via Mare in Greenbelt. By 1 p.m., Dino was at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong -- in his first Alaska practice.

"I couldn't believe it," said Dino, 23. "It was like God meant it to happen. As the practice went on, I realized how long I'd laid off. I lacked wind. But it felt great to be playing again. The next day, coach Tim asked me to come about two hours before practice so he could go over the plays with me over breakfast."

Last Wednesday, Dino made his PBA debut. He checked in for four minutes and compiled five points, two assists, and two steals. Dino looked good on the floor -- he hit a 13-foot baseline jumper, whipped a bullet-like pass to Bryan Gahol for a picture-perfect assist, dished off to an open Poch Juinio for an undergoal stab, and hit an incredible halfcourt trey at the buzzer. Not a bad showing for a rookie with two days of practice.

"I'm just happy to be playing," said Dino the morning after the game. "I'm adjusting to Alaska's system and trying to learn the triangle as fast as I can. Alaska's like a family. We all help out each other. Johnny's been an inspiration -- I always ask him for advice. To play backup for Johnny and Jun (Reyes) is a great honor for me. I'm hoping Johnny can come back soon because I learn so much from him on the court."

Of course, reuniting with Allado was a blessing. "It's a great feeling to be playing with Don again -- we've been teammates and buddies for years," he said. "All the guys have been so nice to me. I really appreciate the chance that Alaska management has given to me."

What went into his mind when he made that halfcourt shot?

"I was comfortable inside the court -- kasi, wala ng pressure, the game was practically over," he said. "So I asked the ball from Bryan. I thought of trying to make a buzzer-beater. Lord, bahala ka na, I prayed. So I threw it up and it went in. It felt like La Salle all over again."

Dino's family came in full force to cheer him. His father Fernando -- who never lost hope for his son to someday play in the PBA -- was there. So were his mother and six brothers and sisters. "I owe a lot to my family," he said. "They're always there for me."

Luigi was in the stands, too, and sat beside Dino's family. He hadn't gone to watch a PBA game since his father left the GAB in 1986. Luigi said Dino's relatives were in tears when he came out of the dressing room for the pre-game warmups wearing No. 11, his lucky number.

Dino said he'll treasure the memory of his first game forever. "Imagine, we came back from 17 to win by 21," he gushed. "At halftime when we were down, Mr. (Fred) Uytengsu went to the dugout and gave us hell. It woke us up. Mr. Uytengsu really got us going."

Dino said if the Alaska offer didn't come, he would've probably accepted the Purefoods invitation to be a practice player.

Tomorrow, Dino's sister Ella is getting married to Pop Cola assistant coach Binky Favis in a 3 p.m. ceremony. Ella understands why Dino won't go to the wedding. Dino's got a game to play against Shell in Antipolo.

As for a nickname, I thought The Roadrunner is appropriate. Dino's a blur on the floor and his inspiring story of running the road to reach the PBA -- never giving up hope and leaving his fate to the Lord -- is one for the books.

Welcome to the PBA, Dino the Roadrunner.