Menk to strut stuff in Negros?

Fil-Am Eric Menk, whose career is in a virtual limbo in the PBA following questions on his eligibility, may yet pick up the pieces in the MBA next year.

Negros coach Robert Sison told The STAR last night that talks to lure the talented 6-foot-5 Tanduay cager have started with the Slashers offering Menk a three-year contract amounting to P21.6 million.

"We are still talking to him (Menk) and Negros is determined to enlist him to play for us next season even if it would take us to pay him this big," said Sison, who is in Bacolod to oversee the Negros-Iloilo merger as part of the league's decision to downsize to eight teams beginning next year.

Sison added that they are well aware of Menk's existing contract with Tanduay. However, he said the team is willing to give him a monthly salary of P500,000 in the first year and an additional P100,000 in the two succeeding seasons.

The Negros mentor revealed that Menk has been getting a lot of offers from other MBA teams, particularly the Manila-Batangas squad.

"Sabi niya (Menk) sa amin marami nga ang nag-offer sa kanya na maglaro sa MBA pero hindi kasing laki ng ibibigay namin sa kanya dito sa Negros," said Sison.

"Because of his problems with the immigration I think we have 50-50 chance of enlisting him," said Sison, adding that the Negros management is set to meet with Tanduay team owner Bong Tan early next year.

Menk, who once formed the dreaded 1-2 punch of Tanduay with Sonny Alvarado, has been barred from playing in the PBA pending completion of his immigration papers.