ALA comes to pug’s aid - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Cebu-based businessman Antonio Lopez Aldeguer, otherwise known as ALA, was the first to respond to Marty Elorde’s call to help 19-year-old fighter Gregie Simbajon, stricken with bone cancer.

Elorde said he was touched by Aldeguer’s quick response. Aldeguer sent P5,000 to get the fund drive for Simbajon rolling.

"I really sympathize with you and your boxer," wrote Aldeguer in a letter to Elorde. "I hope that my modest contribution will be of help to you. I will be praying for his recovery."

Simbajon is confined at St. Luke’s Hospital. He’s undergoing radiation treatment to reduce the size of a cancerous tumor near his pelvic bone before surgery. After only three pro fights, Simbajon’s career is over.

"Gregie is a very good boy and how I hope all my boxers will follow his example," said Elorde. "Unfortunately, cancer has stricken him and I’m afraid of what will happen to him. I’m sad and depressed because my father (Flash Elorde) died of lung cancer. My trainer Toti Sangalang died of throat cancer and now my boxer Gregie has bone cancer. I won’t give up without a fight so I’m asking help from a lot of friends. I’m learning a lot about life these past few days. I have not given up yet but I’m preparing for alternatives if the doctors will give up on him. Dr. (Cipriano) de los Reyes of St. Luke’s has been so supportive and I wish all doctors will be like him."

It’s not surprising that Aldeguer was the first to stand up and be counted. Boxing has a special place in his heart. And Aldeguer is known for his heart of gold. In boxing circles, he’s called Sir ALA — the knight in shining armor. In a sport that’s dominated by sleazy operators, Aldeguer stands out for his honesty, sincerity, and selflessness.

Through the years, Aldeguer has managed several fighters, including Gerry Peñalosa, Joma Gamboa, Edito Villamor, Andy Tabanas, Jun Gorres, and Malcolm Tunacao. Aldeguer never takes a cut from their purses and fighters aren’t signed to contracts — they’re free to come and go but if they stay, they’ve got to toe the line. Aldeguer’s rules are firm and fair — he demands discipline, hard work, and total commitment.

"All I want is for them to earn a decent living using their talents as boxers and at the same time, earn a college degree," he said.

A former La Salle Bacolod basketball player, Aldeguer formed a garments company in Cebu in 1976. That was the start of the ALA Group which has since grown into a conglomerate of six companies with about 300 regular employees. There are over 150 retail outlets nationwide for the Group’s garment brands — Loalde (named for his wife Lou), USA Sports, Wacky, Island Souvenirs, and Bisaya Espesyal. Abroad, ALA shirts are sold by franchisees in Osaka and Saipan. Additionally, the Group recently became involved in the sale of construction materials.

Aldeguer’s three sons Jay, Michael, and Chris now run the ALA businesses. As the youngsters are doing a good job at the helm, Aldeguer has found more time to concentrate on his passion — boxing. His sidekick Sammy Gello-ani, ALA Group Vice President for personnel, promotes the cards that he finances. Gello-ani, fondly called Don King by Cebu fight fans, has worked nearly 30 years for Aldeguer and shares his passion for boxing.

In the 1970s, Aldeguer took care of pro Vivencio Viene who used the ring name Ben Aldeguer. Then he managed another pro Efren Tabanas who eventually quit because of a detached retina. In 1985, Aldeguer formed a stable of amateur fighters and a year later, sponsored the weekly Boxing At The Park series, featuring exclusively simonpures, in Cebu. Then he assembled the ALA Boys — a group of highly-touted pros, including Villamor, Dan Nietes, Noel Tunacao, Peñalosa and Tabanas.

When Villamor — the ALA stable’s most charismatic prospect — was knocked out in a pair of world title bids, Aldeguer became depressed. His fighters drifted to other managers and it took five years before Aldeguer decided to unveil a fresh cast of pros, this time known as the Golden Boys — Randy Suico, Malcolm Tunacao, Rev Santillan and Jovan Presbitero. Still, Aldeguer wouldn’t commit himself completely to pro boxing and continued to shy away from promoting cards. He later turned over most of the Golden Boys to Rex (Wakee) Salud.

But last year, Aldeguer was back with a vengeance. He introduced the New Generation ALA Boys and today, with Gello-ani reliving his Don King role, Dindo Castanares, Rodel Mayol and Wendel Janiola are at the forefront of this latest resurgence.

Castanares, 19, won the Philippine junior welterweight title in only his fifth fight last December. Mayol, 19, is fresh from a win on points over Ken Nakajima in Himeji, Japan. And Janiola, 21, boasts a perfect 5-0 record, like Castanares and Mayol.

Aldeguer hasn’t forgotten his past fighters many of whom are employed in his companies. Peter Cuizon is head of embroidery. Nietes manages an outlet in Bacolod. Ramy Dumpa is a company driver. Tabanas’ wife Chloe is a sales supervisor. And Villamor trains his stable of pros and about 10 amateurs, averaging 17 years old.

Last December, the New Generation ALA Boys hosted a gift-giving treat for retired, destitute and disabled fighters in Cebu. They raised some P30,000 and made Christmas a little more cheerful for the likes of Dommy Ursua, Ben Aldeguer, Tanny Campo, Francisco Balug, Ric Barimbad, and Al Espinosa. Aldeguer’s influence was clearly reflected in the effort.

Behind the ALA Group’s head office building in Talamban, Aldeguer built a P5 million, 5,000-square meter sports complex for his fighters. The facilities include a 210-meter mini-oval track, two boxing rings, a full-sized basketball court, four speedballs, three punching balls, 12 heavy bags, assorted weights, dozens of gloves of all sizes, and an air-conditioned gym. In all, Gello-ani estimated Aldeguer invested some P2 million for equipment. There’s also a two-room dorm with 14 beds and comfortable living amenities.

On the educational side of things, Aldeguer bought a computer for the fighters to use and hired a tutor to help them in their studies. The youngest amateur in his stable is Rey Caitom, 13, a first year high school student and a Batang Pinoy gold medalist.

Indeed, Aldeguer is a rare breed.