MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer skills coach Alton Lister said the other day teamwork is essential for a team to survive in the PBA Fiesta Conference particularly as imports usually dominate the action and depth will make the difference in the end.
Lister, 50, played for five teams in 16 NBA seasons and retired in 1998. He was an Atlanta Hawks assistant coach last year and took the job with San Miguel on Paul Howard’s invitation. Howard was Lister’s coach at Arizona State and has close ties with San Miguel being Ron Jacobs’ best friend. Lister filled in the void left by Kirk Collier who took a job in Korea.
Lister said Purefoods import Brian Hamilton’s performance against Talk ‘N’ Text last March 1 is an example of what he means. Hamilton compiled a triple double with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists as the Tender Juicy Giants beat the Tropang Texters, 131-121.
“It’s no use if an import scores 30 or 40 points, runs out of gas in the fourth period and his team loses the game,” said Lister. “The important thing is getting the local teammates involved.” In the Purefoods game he mentioned, six Giants netted double figures with James Yap hitting 33 points.
Even before Howard’s invitation, Lister knew about the PBA as his older brother James played briefly as a CDCP (a defunct franchise) import in 1981.
“My brother enjoyed playing in the PBA,” said Lister. “I love the Philippines because it’s basketball country. It’s where I can continue to work at what I do best. The people are friendly. They speak English and I feel right at home. The weather’s fine. I lived in Arizona for nine years so I know what hot is like except it’s much more humid in Manila. I’m lucky to be with San Miguel because it’s a first-class organization from Boss Danding (chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.) to coach Siot (Tangquincen) to team manager Hector (Calma) to the players.”
Lister’s role is to polish the skills of San Miguel’s big men. He was primarily tasked to work with 6-9 Sam Eman.
“Sam’s a project,” said Lister. “He’s now doing rehab and his priority is to get healthy. Before he went down, Sam was progressing very well. For two weeks at practice, he was just dominant. But we don’t want to rush him. Mick (Pennisi) is the consummate pro. His bread and butter is still the outside shot but he’s learning to roll to the basket and put the ball on the floor. Jay-Wash (Washington) was our most consistent player last conference. He’s working on playing more inside, posting up to develop an inside-outside game. Dorian (Peña) started as a football player then turned to basketball. We missed him in the playoffs last conference. If he played, he could’ve been the difference maker. If he gets his rhythm, he can be dominant. Ken (Bono) is a smart guy, can shoot and use his body. He’s working on his quickness and footwork. Marc (Pingris) is tough and a real hard worker.”
What makes San Miguel a cut above the rest is its depth. “Guys step up when they’re given the chance,” he said. “Danny Seigle, for instance, was a huge lift for us last conference even after not playing so long. We’re getting Danny Ildefonso back during the conference and he’ll be ready to make us better.”
Lister said for imports to stick, it’s all about fitting in. “The guys with an advantage are those who’ve previously played in the PBA, overseas and the D-League,” he noted. “Those guys know the game well. I’ve heard of (Rosell) Ellis and (Rod) Nealy but I don’t really know the others.”
Lister singled out Yap, Gary David, Willie Miller, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo as “special players” in the league. “I don’t know if they can play in the NBA but they’re great for the PBA,” he said. “James is super - he can score, dribble, pass, rebound and do everything for his team. Gary is the best in moving without the ball and can score Willie’s small for a two-guard but he’s an impact player, too, like Jimmy and Ranidel.”
Lister said the secret of his longevity in the NBA was his willingness to sacrifice.
“It helped that I was a seven-footer who could run the floor, rebound and block shots,” he said. “I never got into trouble. I was a good guy. I handled my business. When I was younger, I was productive. I went out there and did my job, game after game. When I was older, I accepted the change in my role and was always ready to contribute, no matter how many minutes I got. I provided veteran leadership and a positive attitude. I worked with the younger players and taught them things. I was never afraid of hard work.”
Lister played in the era of Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
“That was some era,” he said. “Growing up, my idol was Kareem. So when I was matched up with him as a rookie, I couldn’t believe it. I had this reputation as a shot blocker but in Kareem’s first possession against my defense, he just dunked over me.”