Doing it for Ben

For a while, it was touch-and-go. Ben Davis wasn’t sure if he’d continue playing for Barangay Ginebra in the Samsung Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra team manager Ira Maniquis had just informed Davis’ partner Silas Mills to pack up. The time was 2 p.m. last Friday and in an hour, interim coach Cris Calilan would start practice. Mills cried his eyes out before Davis and begged for sympathy from his boyhood pal.

On the phone, Maniquis assured Davis that management wanted him to stay. Davis, who suited up for the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA), asked if Maniquis was playing a waiting game and if his replacement was on the way. Maniquis said there were no plans to look for someone to take his spot. "You’re a professional and you’ve got a live contract with us," Maniquis told Davis. "We want you to stay."

When the clock struck three, Davis showed up at practice. He had made his mind to play. Ginebra’s locals welcomed Davis with a resounding applause. Maniquis knew the Kings would play Talk ‘N Text in two days with a single import. He also knew, deep in his heart, Ginebra would win.

"The guys promised to win for Ben," said Maniquis. "They were all fired up at practice that day. I knew we would win. I saw it in their eyes. It was a tough decision for Ben because Mills brought him here. They share the same agent Larry Fox. But Ben proved he’s a true professional."

As it turned out, Ginebra blasted the Phone Pals, 74-63, last Sunday. Davis scored 25 points–his conference high–and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the charge. The Kamikaze Kids, also known as the Bandana Boys, combined for 35 points in a fiery display of dash-and-dribble. Mark (The Spark) Caguioa netted 19 and backcourt twin JayJay Helterbrand added 16.

Mills, by the way, left the day before.

So what happened to Mills?

Flashback to Ginebra’s 70-65 loss to Coca-Cola last Thursday. Mills picked up his third personal foul early in the second period and was quickly pulled out of the game by Calilan to preserve him for the late going. After a series of possessions, Mills stood up and approached the table officials. He wanted to check back in–without Calilan’s clearance.

Maniquis, sitting beside assistant coach Juno Sauler on the bench, noticed Mills walk up to the table officials. Calilan noticed it, too, and immediately, summoned Mills to return to the bench. Grudgingly, Mills walked back and said, "I’m here to play, not sit down." Maniquis tried to pacify him, explaining that the team couldn’t afford for him to foul out too soon.

Later in the game, Mills shouted invectives at Calilan who told the volatile import to shut up after he cursed the referees for not calling a Talk ‘N Text foul on Davis. Calilan only wanted to keep Mills longer on the floor because in international rules, a technical counts as a personal foul. So Mills, in foul trouble, couldn’t afford a T at that stage. "I’m a grown man, nobody tells me what to do," barked Mills as Calilan admonished him to pipe down.

In the fourth period, Mills tried to take charge and do it all. He forced his shots, refused to pass, and wanted to play god. He screamed at Caguioa and ordered him, "Don’t shoot." He cussed at Helterbrand. "Stupid players," said Mills of his teammates as Ginebra fell to its third loss in four outings.

Mills was out of control in the dugout after the game. He threw a water bottle against the wall. "I’m outta here," he told Maniquis. "I’m not used to playing on a losing team." Maniquis said to sleep it over and they would talk the next day.

That night, Mills sent a text to Maniquis’ cellphone–"Sorry, just upset."

The morning after, Ginebra management met with the local players to discuss what to do with Mills. The vote was to send him home. It was clear that the irascible Mills had overstayed his welcome.

Ginebra’s bite-the-bullet decision sent a message throughout the league that no player–not even a former Best Import awardee–is indispensable. If a player can’t abide by the rules, then it’s goodbye. Mills learned his lesson the hard way. His dishonorable discharge meant he’s barred from ever playing in the PBA again.

Maniquis said he’s negotiating to bring in an import before Ginebra’s next game against Sta. Lucia Realty in Dumaguete on Friday. But if Mills’ replacement fails to arrive, Maniquis said the Kings will play with Davis as their lone import and "we’ll win again."

Maniquis will find out today if former Golden State Warriors forward Chris Porter is flying in or not. Porter is deciding on whether to play here or in Europe where he has a standing offer.

Porter, 24, was described by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons as the best Auburn University player since Charles Barkley. The 6-7, 218-pound Alabama native was the Golden State Warriors’ second round pick in the 2000 NBA draft. He averaged 8.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 51 games for the Warriors in the 2000-01 season. Porter, whose role model is former Boston Celtics center Dave Cowens, chalked up career pro highs of 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. He was traded to Charlotte last year but cut before the next season started.

Porter is fresh from averaging 17.5 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Dakota Wizards in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He shot 47.4 percent from the field and 58.2 percent from the line. Not known for his outside shooting, Porter knocked in only 1-of-13 triples for the Wizards.

If Porter isn’t available, Maniquis said he has two other candidates in line. Whether Ginebra plays with one import or two, Maniquis promised the Kings will play on Friday with the same daredevil, never-say-die intensity they showed in shocking the Phone Pals last Sunday.