What ails Purefoods?

"Champions are not men who never fail, but men who never quit." —— Alvin Patromonio

Was it only last year when Purefoods reached the summit of the PBA?

It was the unlikeliest story of all. In a year when PBA teams were depleted because of the preparations for the Asian Games, Purefoods was one of the teams hardest hit by the recruitment for the Philippine men’s team. Beset by injuries, they also lost point guards Noy Castillo and Boyet Fernandez and big man Andy Seigle for months. Head coach Eric Altamirano volunteered to assist Ron Jacobs and Jong Uichico. In his stead, young Ryan Gregorio, barely scraping thirty years of age, assumed the head coaching position. His assistants: Ronnie Magsanoc, who was simultaneously forced out of retirement to play the point, and sophomore player Mon Jose, whose career didn’t get off the ground and was too young to be coaching in the first place.

Still, the Hotdogs prevailed, winning the Governors’ Cup, their first championship in five years. Alvin Patrimonio, so unused to losing for so long, cried tears of relief, and management heaved a huge sigh. The worst was over, and Purefoods looked forward to a long tenure at the top of the league.

But it was not meant to be. This season, The Hotdogs suffered at the bottom of the All-Filipino Cup. In the Mabuhay Cup eliminations, they posted a woeful 0-win, four-loss record, with opponents averaging double-digit leads. In one practice, five players suffered various injuries, big and small, and scrimmage had to be cancelled. This was not the Purefoods of old, made of solid stuff, perennial finalist in the All-Filipino. The team was cracking apart.

"It’s a combination of a lot of things," confessed Gregorio. "We were really hurt by a series of injuries, even to the starting team, like Andy (Seigle), Cap (Patrimonio) and Rey (Evangelista), and for a time even Boyet (Fernandez) and almost everybody got hurt. We just weren’t able to build or jell as a unit. And I don’t think I did a very good job of coaching in the first two conferences. As a result, we lost a lot of games. But that usually happens to young coaches. So it’s a big motivational tool for me to keep trying and make the most out of my players."

The arrival of players like Gilbert Demape and Rodney Santos and the return of Castillo, Fernandez and Seigle also made for some new chemistry problems, which could not be rushed.

"It’s not all the time you’re on top," reasons Patrimonio, who has been with the franchise since midway through its first season in 1988. "It’s a humbling experience for the team. It’s the attitude. That’s still the bottom line. Champions are not men who never fail, but men who never quit. That’s what we need to learn, not to quit."

"I’m happy that coach Ryan is asking for my advice," says Fernandez. "I also help talk to the younger players since I also came back from injury."

Apparently, despite the revolving hospital door, Purefoods functioned smoothly when Patrimonio and Magsanoc are on the court. But with the former UP Maroon back in retirement and the team’s Braveheart in and out of sickbay, a void was created that nobody could fill.

"We identified the problem, and it’s a leadership problem," Magsanoc elaborates. "We’re doing something about it, reaching out to the players and talking to them about what coach Ryan wants to be done. Hopefully with the communication lines open again, things will be clearer, and roles will be more defined."

"Maybe it’s the lack of a leader," Gregorio confirms. "We were so used to playing with a leader like Dindo Pumaren, and after Dindo came Ronnie, and they were acknowledged leaders of the team. That’s why I’m excited for the Third Conference because Derrick Brown is coming back and we need somebody like that."

Despite the disastrous performance this season, Gregorio and company expect big things from their team for the third conference. The long hibernation is apparently bringing out a new character for the team, turning a millstone around their necks into a stepping-stone, a cornerstone, the rock upon which they expect to build their new kingdom.

"I’m sure everybody is frustrated, and that frustration is a big stepping stone for us," opines the young coach. "We’ve dropped so many games. We’re motivated so hard not to let these things happen to us again. You’re going to see a brand-new Purefoods in the next conference."

That’s what all their fans are hoping for, to add to the gleaming heritage of the last 15 seasons.

* * *

You may reach me through [email protected] or [email protected].