No damaged goods

Highly touted NBA veteran Jamal Sampson was a bust in his Smart-Gilas debut against Barako Bull at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last Friday. The 6-11 center played sparingly because of a back problem and finished with only four points on two slam dunks in the first period in Gilas’ 96-91 loss to the Energy Boosters.

In the fourth quarter when Gilas badly needed his services to pull off a win, Sampson lay on his belly at the sidelines while coach Rajko Toroman was on his feet, desperately trying to figure out how to repulse Barako with gangling, inexperienced slotman Greg Slaughter at the post.

A source said Sampson, 26, arrived here with the back injury, which he concealed until after his contract was signed, sealed and delivered. He reportedly refused a whopping $55,000 monthly salary to play for Fujian in the Chinese league to move to Gilas.

But SBP executive director Noli Eala said it’s not true that Sampson hid his ailment. Before Sampson and the SBP came to terms, he was subjected to a battery of medical tests which were passed with flying colors. Besides, Sampson played extensively in several Gilas practices where he was more than impressive. The assessment was Sampson played in a class higher than previous naturalization candidate C. J. Giles.

“Jamal complained about his bed a week ago,” said Eala. “He was fine during training and I don’t think he was hiding any injury. We had him checked before so we’re pretty sure he was well. He went to a chiropractor a few days ago. He really had a tightening of the back. I don’t think Jamal is like C. J.”

In announcing Sampson’s signing, Eala cited his maturity, size and skills as the ingredients that Gilas needs in the quest to represent Asia at the 2012 London Olympics.

“We warmly welcome his presence in the national team,” said Eala. “Jamal is the player we need and his signing with Gilas has improved our competitiveness. A true professional who gave up offers in China because he prefers to work with our players and live in the Philippines, the SBP welcomes Jamal with high hopes. It took nearly two weeks of negotiations to get Jamal but at least, both parties are assured our deal was not hastily done.”

* * * *

In another development, Eala disclosed that the SBP is close to finalizing the details of a contract for Binky Favis to join Toroman’s coaching staff.

Favis was at the stadium during Gilas’ game against Barako last Friday. Asked why he watched the contest with SBP officials at courtside, Favis smiled and said, “We’re just talking basketball.”

Favis, 40, was an assistant coach on two previous national teams under Joseph Uichico and Chot Reyes. He was Coca-Cola coach in the PBA until October last year. Favis is running for a councilor’s seat in the second district of Parañaque in the coming May elections.

The Tigers opened the 2008-09 Philippine Cup with a 1-3 record, prompting management to relieve Favis and replace him with Kenneth Duremdes. Favis said he was close to turning things around for the franchise when the pink slip was served. “We were in the middle of putting the pieces together,” he recalled. “Too bad. I just think with a little more time, we could’ve become a serious contender.”

It was during Favis’ term as Coca-Cola coach when the Tigers brought in Asi Taulava, Ronjay Buenafe, Nic Belasco, Mark Macapagal, Mark Telan and Alex Cabagnot.

Favis, who won two NCAA junior titles with UST and an NCAA senior championship with Letran as head coach, is the brother-in-law of former La Salle star Dino Aldeguer and La Salle Zobel juniors and Perpetual Help seniors varsity coach Boris Aldeguer. He is married to the former Ella Aldeguer whose father Fernando was recruited from La Salle Bacolod by Fr. Edgar Martin to play with Ed Ocampo on the NCAA champion Ateneo team in the late 1950s but decided to go back to the province during his one-year residency.

* * * *

Rep. Robbie Puno, who was once PBA marketing director, is running for reelection in the first district of Antipolo.

“I proudly consider myself as one of those running in the 2010 elections with sports credentials,” said Puno whose wife Chiqui Roa was a popular courtside reporter during PBA telecasts. “I was surprised to read that there are quite a number of us candidates who are sports-minded and sports-oriented.” Puno said former PBA cager Alex (Bobot) Marquez is also running for reelection as councilor in the first district of Antipolo. Marquez was known as the “Kamikaze Kid” during his playing days.

In the US, several athletes went on to establish careers in public service as elected government officials. Former NBA player Bill Bradley became a senator and another NBA veteran Tom McMillen was a congressman. Two ex-NBA All-Stars Dave Bing and Kevin Johnson are now mayors. Bing is the incumbent in Detroit and Johnson in Sacramento.

Two-time Olympic track gold medalist Bob Mathias was a congressman. Pro wrestler Jesse Ventura served as governor of Minnesota. Former Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor of California. Mile-run record holder Jim Ryun was a congressman. Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan were varsity football players before they occupied the White House.