Ordonio waits for a call

Jon Ordonio turned 26 last March 21. He’s played the last three years in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Today, he’s out of a job, living on his savings and unsure of what the future holds for him, his wife Jackie, and their two kids, Kobe, 2, and Tahjae, nine months old.

Ordonio teamed with Mike Pemberthy at The Master’s College, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) contender in southern California. They were an awesome twosome in the backcourt. Both were scorching scorers and blurs on the court. After graduation, they went their separate ways. Pemberthy joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ordonio, whose mother Corazon is a full-blooded Ilokana, decided to try his luck as a Fil-Am in the PBA.

Things went well for Ordonio at the start. He averaged 7.5 points in 33 games for Pop Cola as a PBA rookie in 1999. But Ordonio just couldn’t advance to the next level. His scoring clip fell to 4.5 the next year. And last season, he drifted to Alaska and managed to score only 2.9 points in 44 outings. It wasn’t that Ordonio lacked talent. In fact, he has lots of it. Somehow, the right team just hasn’t come along for him.

Alaska didn’t rehire Ordonio this season. It was tough getting minutes in coach Tim Cone’s system which rotated Kenneth Duremdes, John Arigo, Rodney Santos, Ordonio and Kenny Evans in the backcourt. Ordonio was frustrated and realized he had to move on.

There were promises from friends in other teams to join them. Ordonio thought he’d get a break. He thought wrong.

With options thinning in the PBA, Ordonio jumped to the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). He tested the waters in Cebu, Pangasinan, and Olongapo. No dice. The salary wasn’t attractive. The MBA had instituted a monthly cap of P200,000 and a low of P20,000 for a player’s salary plus each team could only pay out a total of P833,000.

"In the end, I guess teams decided to get players who were willing to play for less," said Ordonio. "Besides, I really want to play in the PBA. I’m afraid of developing bad habits in the MBA." Nothing derogatory, of course. What Ordonio meant was in the MBA, the premium is on offense. And the lack of defensive orientation will be a handicap if he decides to jump back to the PBA.

Then Ordonio heard about former University of Nevada at Las Vegas coach Bill Bayno taking over the Talk ‘N Text job from Louie Alas. "I was excited to play for Bayno," he said.

Ordonio’s pal Evans, another Fil-Am, heard about Bayno, too. Evans, who’d gone back to the US, returned here and joined Ordonio in trying out for the Phone Pals. Ordonio attended four days of tryouts but wasn’t offered a contract. Evans, on the other hand, stuck.

Ordonio said he’s not thinking of packing up and relocating back to the US. Not yet. He likes the life here and doesn’t mind settling down with his family for good in Manila. But the problem is how to make a living. There are bills to pay. The family is staying in a flat at the Ortigas Center and the rent’s not cheap.

Ordonio’s wife Jackie is considering a modeling career. She’s certainly got the looks to make it. She’s bubbly and outgoing. And her friends, who are models, are encouraging her to try it out. So that’s an option.

Still and all, Ordonio is confident of playing again. "I should get a chance in the All-Filipino Conference at the latest," he said. "I’d like to be able to show I can still play in the PBA."

Ordonio isn’t staying idle. He keeps in shape, working out in the gym and jogging. But he admitted, there’s nothing like playing in a game to keep the rust out.

"I don’t have any team preferences," continue Ordonio. "I could play for Shell or Alaska again or San Miguel or any team. My agent (Bill Rosmarino) is looking out for me. Maybe, after the Holy Week, something will turn up."

Ordonio’s too young to call it quits as a basketball player. He should be in uniform, playing and doing what he does best. It’s a shame that he’s just sitting at home, waiting for the phone to ring. There must be a team out there for him.