Pop signs Hatfield to P16.8M

Pop Cola declared it is now ready to embark on a mission to end a long title drought in the Philippine Basketball Association as the RFM Corp. franchise completed a potential force yesterday by signing up Rudy Hatfield to a P16.8-million contract for three years.

The Pop Cola team management tapped Hatfield to team up with Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Nelson Asaytono and Poch Juinio in the team’s starting unit.

At the same time, the ballclub enlisted draftees Jovy Sese, Ato Morano and Mon Jose to shore up the team’s backcourt rotation, including Pido Jarencio, Wynne Arboleda and Allan Gamboa.

Hatfield, who was acquired by Pop Cola in exchange for Noli Locsin, is to receive P400,000 a month this year and the league maximum pay of P500,000 in the next two years. The player has an option to back out of the contract in year 2003.

Team manager Elmer Yanga is hopeful they have finally put up a team competitive enough to have a shot at a championship in the PBA 2001 season which fires off on Jan. 28.

Yanga said they have formed their core group and may make a last change in their reserve unit only if William Antonio decides to lower his asking price.

The Fil-Am player, who at first bargained for a monthly pay of P350,000, is now asking for P250,000 but Yanga said the team can only afford P180,000.

Meanwhile, Alaska formally matched Mobiline’s P48-million offer to Kenneth Duremdes even as San Miguel is likely to have a contract renewal with ace player Danny Ildefonso in the next few days.

"We are pleased to have Kenneth signed. It was unfortunate to have to go through this process (offer sheet) but we understand Kenneth’s desire to see what his value is in the market," said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo.

According to Trillo, Alaska team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu expressed disappointment that Mobiline tendered the offer sheet with Mobiline league governor Iggy Yenko earlier saying the ballclub would not do so.