Second generation cagers

National bowler Leonardo (Botchock) Rey, Jr. sent an e-mail recently to ask about second generation players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Botchock’s curiosity was aroused during the Crispa-Toyota revival game last May.

"Billy Mamaril was flashed in the screen when his father (Romy) was called in," wrote Botchock. "It was mentioned he was the seventh ‘second generation’PBA player. My friends and I then started recalling the other players but unfortunately, we only named five. They are Jonas Mariano, RenRen Ritualo, Dodot Jaworski, Jason Webb and Mamaril. We’re not sure if the sons of Jun Papa and Larry Mumar also played so can you help us complete the list?"

Sure thing, Botchock. The actual count is eight. Botchock named four of the eight– Mamaril, Jaworski, Webb and Ritualo.

Billy, 23, was the sixth overall pick in the PBA draft this year and plays for Purefoods. His father Romy, 46, suited up for five clubs in the pros from 1980 to 1991. Dodot played for Barangay Ginebra from 1996 to 1998 while his father Sen. Robert–still officially unretired at 57–saw action from 1975 to 1998. Jason, 29, turned pro in 1999, sat out last season, and is back playing for Sta. Lucia Realty. His father Freddie was a blur for Tanduay from 1976 to 1978. Ritualo was the eighth overall choice in last year’s draft and is a FedEx sophomore. His father Florendo, Sr., 50, was a PBA pioneer and played for the Gokongwei franchise from 1975 to 1983.

Jonas’ father Jimmy, 61, played in the PBA from 1975 to 1979. Jonas, however, never got to play a game in the pros. He was a practice player for Ginebra and Sta. Lucia after seeing action for La Salle in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). So Jonas isn’t part of the second generation roster.

The other four sons are Jomar Tierra, Richard Yee, Marlon Legaspi, and Marlon Basco. Tierra was San Miguel Beer’s second round pick in 2001 but didn’t get to play in the PBA until he was recruited by Sta. Lucia this year. In the recent All-Filipino Cup, Tierra–who previously saw action in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) and Philippine Basketball League (PBL)–played three games for the Realtors. His father Marty played for U-Tex, Tefilin and Galerie Dominique from 1980 to 1983. His uncle Adonis is in Sta. Lucia’s coaching staff.

Yee, 26, turned pro in 1999 and has since been a fixture in Purefoods’ rotation. He sat out 19 of the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs’ 43 games last season due to injury and was reactivated during the Mabuhay Cup eliminations a few weeks ago. Yee missed the entire double round eliminations in the All-Filipino Cup. His father Jess Migalbin, 47, played for San Miguel and Manila Beer from 1978 to 1985.

Legaspi was the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft and averaged 3.7 points in 11 games as a San Miguel rookie in the All-Filipino Cup. The 6-5, 203-pound forward had an auspicious debut, scoring 10 points against Coca-Cola last Feb. 28. His father Roberto played for Mariwasa from 1975 to 1977. San Miguel team manager Robert Non confirmed the relationship. While Roberto’s name was inadvertently skipped in the PBA’s all-time player directory, his picture and stats show up in the yearbooks that were published during his playing days.

Basco, 25, was Ginebra’s second round pick in 2001. He played two years for the Kings. His father Mario suited up three years for Tefilin then Manhattan, retiring in 1983. Mario stood 6-3 and his son grew to 6-6.

PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon–who miraculously recovered his laptop and cell phone that were stolen from his car at the Cuneta Astrodome parking lot last week (they were brought back to the press room after two days by an unknown angel)–said to his knowledge, the eight sons are the only second generation players so far.

Of course, there were PBA players whose fathers were well-known cagers, too. Chito and Joey Loyzaga owe their basketball genes to their legendary father Caloy. Dickie Bachmann’s father Kurt is a Hall of Famer and former Olympian. Franz and Dindo Pumaren’s father Pilo was a star hoopster in his own right and prominent coach.

Waiting in the wings to join the elite cast of second generation players is Dustin Coloso, picked on the third round by Red Bull in this year’s draft. Coloso is still in the US and it’s not sure if he’ll ever pack his bags to play here. His father Tim, 42, played for sixteams in nine PBA seasons before retiring in 1990.