Ferriols inks P10.8-M pact

For John Ferriols, being picked outside the first round in the PBA Annual Draft proved no hindrance on the bargaining table as the former MBA megastar was able to close a lucrative contract with the FedEx ballclub yesterday.

In fact, Ferriols might have even made a record of sort, clinching probably the richest pact by any second-round draftee in league history as he finally made a deal with the Express worth P10.8 million spread over three years.

Among the draftees this year, the former University of San Jose Recoletos ace inked the second richest contract, next to the P11.4-million deal No. 3 pick Eddie Laure got from Shell.

No. 1 pick Mike Cortez signed an P8.7-million pact with Alaska Milk while No. 2 Romel Adducul got P12.7 million for four years with Barangay Ginebra.

Ferriols, the Negros Slashers’ franchise player in the defunct MBA, is to receive P200,000 a month this year and P350,000 a month – the maximum allowed in the league – in the next two years. Laure will get a monthly pay of P250,000 in his rookie year and also the maximum in 2004 and 2005.

Dondon Monteverde, son of the Regal Films matriarch who represented Ferriols in the negotiation, said FedEx’s initial offer to the player was way below what they got in the end.

"Kinulit kami ng marketing department namin. Ibigay na daw namin ang hinihingi ni John (Ferriols) dahil mataas naman daw ang marketing value. Magaling na, pogi pa," said FedEx team manager Lito Alvarez.

On top of the P10.8 million in wages, Ferriols also got an Isuzu Trooper and a Mail & More franchise as some sort of signing bonuses.

Monteverde said Ferriols was very happy with what he got.

With Ferriols finally signing his contract, FedEx coach Derrick Pumaren has completed his roster for the 2003 PBA wars starting Feb. 23.

Ferriols joined in the FedEx team old mainstays Vergel Meneses, Renren Ritualo, Jerry Codinera, Wynne Arboleda, Ryan Bernardo, Egay Billones, Danny Capobres, and fellow new recruits Roger Yap, Omanzie Rodriguez, Marvin Ortiguerra and Jherome Ejercito.

Other second-round draftees who became big stars in the PBA were Ato Agustin, Dindo Pumaren, Boy Cabahug, Ricric Marata, Gerry Esplana, Olsen Racela and Freddie Abuda.

Agustin, drafted only 12th overall in 1989 behind Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Bong Alvarez and Bobby Jose among others, even emerged league Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1992.

Esplana, Presto Tivoli’s first pick in the second round in 1990, won the Rookie of the Year honors over No. 1 pick Peter Jao – a teammate – that season.

Bal David and Jun Marzan have also made it big in the pro league though picked beyond the second round. David was Sunkist’s third round choice in 1995 while Marzan was Ginebra’s fifth-round pick in 1994.