Maierhofer opts to try luck in PBA

MANILA, Philippines - The Green Archers will surely miss Rico Maierhofer.

“Yes, of course. We will miss him,” said La Salle head coach Franz Pumaren yesterday when asked about the status of the fearless forward who won the UAAP crown with the team in 2007.

Maierhofer, who is graduating this semester, is still eligible to play for La Salle this coming UAAP season which starts on July 11. But he has decided to drop it and instead apply for the 2010 PBA draft.

“If it’s a better opportunity for him, we will not hold him back. It’s like the case of Mac Mac (Cardona) who still had one more year left with us but opted for the PBA so we let him go,” Pumaren added.

Maierhofer also decided to shy away from the national pool that was formed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. For the meantime, he can play in the PBL.

The country’s finest amateur cagers have been lured by the SBP to be part of the team that may represent the Philippines in major international competitions that can go as high as the Olympics.

And for the first time in history, players are being offered contracts which according to SBP executive director Noli Eala could come close or even match some of those being offered PBA players.

But for some reason, Maierhofer had to turn it down, and give the PBA a shot.     – Abac Cordero