Hatfield to try luck in WWE

Nobody knows for sure when Rudy Hatfield will return from the US to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) again but if rumors are true that he’s been signed to a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract, don’t expect it to be soon.

Hatfield’s Coca-Cola contract expired last Sept. 30. No less than Malacañang recently cleared him to play in the PBA after Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita ruled that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has no jurisdiction on citizenship cases. It was the DOJ that recommended his deportation because he was "probably" not a Filipino citizen.

The PBA suspended Hatfield on the basis of the DOJ’s recommendation. But because of Ermita’s ruling, the PBA reopened its doors to Hatfield.

The problem is despite the reinstatement, Hatfield is not in town and has no live contract to play for the Tigers or any other PBA team. He is technically a restricted free agent in that Coca-Cola has the right of first refusal.

Hatfield, who holds a Philippine passport, left Manila last Oct. 9, leaving behind a slew of unanswered questions. Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis wants him back in the lineup. So does Tigers team manager Hector Calma. But not even Hatfield’s agent Bill Rosmarino knows if he’s ever coming back.

Asked if Hatfield’s long-time girlfriend Rufa Mae Quinto is privy to his plans, Rosmarino couldn’t say. Apparently, he’s not in touch with the movie star.

Both Favis and Rosmarino confirmed the rumor of Hatfield’s wrestling incursion. But neither could confirm if Hatfield is really taking his act to the mat.

One source said Hatfield has enrolled in a wrestling school to learn the ins and outs of the grappling trade and hopes to apply for a WWE job. Another source said he’s already inked a contract with the Vince McMahon group.

One thing for sure, Hatfield has the size and heft to make a splash in the WWE where one of the most popular wrestlers is Batista, supposedly a Fil-Am (real name Dave Bautista). When Hatfield was under suspension, he worked feverishly in the gym to stay in shape and transformed his body into a well-sculpted, muscular physical specimen.

Hatfield, 28, hasn’t played in the PBA since scoring 13 points in Coca-Cola’s 92-84 win over San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Cup on Oct. 17 last year. It was the Tigers’ third win in four starts. With Hatfield sidelined, the Tigers went on to win only six of its next 16 games in the conference.

Hatfield waited over a year for his clearance to return to the PBA as a local eligible and now that it’s been finally issued, he’s somewhere in Michigan thinking of a WWE career.

Is he holding out for more money from Coca-Cola? Maybe not because there’s nothing to negotiate beyond the salary cap. Perhaps, Hatfield just got frustrated waiting and is now considering a new career path.

Someone said Hatfield’s sudden exit has to do with a family obligation. He takes care of a younger brother, the source intimated, and wants to be close to him as he grows up. But if that’s the case, why doesn’t Hatfield just take him to Manila where he can keep a closer watch on his kid brother?

Whatever is the reason for Hatfield’s absence, his curious fans want to unlock the mystery badly.

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A movie columnist from another newspaper wrote recently that PBA legend Abe King passed away in the US at the age of 62.

That’s not true, of course. First of all, King is only 48. And secondly, he’s alive and kicking somewhere in Washington state, according to former PBA player Dindo Pumaren.

When King heard the news of his "untimely demise," he immediately phoned Dindo’s relatives in the US to disprove the rumor.

Dindo said King, who has native American lineage (Cherokee tribe), is as gregarious as ever and knows all the latest gossip about former PBA cagers now living in the US. King’s wife Ligaya reportedly works in New York as a nurse.

King was once employed in the graveyard shift at a 7-11 store in Washington and swept floors but was never ashamed of doing menial work. Co-workers looked up to the handsome 6-4 giant (literally and figuratively) who often told tales of when he used to be mobbed by PBA fans.

Incidentally, Dindo–now head coach of the PBL club Harbour Centre and the University of the East varsity–said he never fails to watch the PBA games on TV. He singled out Ginebra’s Jay-Jay Helterbrand as the league’s best point guard today and Air21’s Ren-Ren Ritualo as the best shooter (with James Yap in second place).

Dindo also said Purefoods’ Paul Artadi shouldn’t hesitate to take the jumper even if defenders usually sag to goad him to shoot and it’s just a matter of time (and lots of practice) before he builds his confidence. He noted that it was perfect timing for Purefoods rookie Jondan Salvador to break into the PBA because he’s clearly "ripe for the pros." Dindo also has high hopes for Air21 rookie Nino Canaleta to shine. Artadi, Yap and Canaleta played for UE.