P12-M budget too stiff

A plan to bring Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest to Manila has been cancelled with local organizers unable to raise the funds to cover a P12-million budget.  

Artest was supposed to plane in with his two sons and three rap back-up singers from his band The World-Wide Warriors last Aug. 11, later postponed to Aug. 26. The other day, organizers called off the trip despite confirming a 10-day booking for 10 rooms at the Dusit Thani hotel, in-land security arrangements, use of a bullet-proof Hummer and an Eastwood site for a rap concert featuring Artest and the Warriors.

 If Artest showed up last Aug. 26, he would’ve been the special guest in the NBA Asia Challenge game at the Araneta Coliseum the next day.

Organizers had difficulty booking plane tickets for the Artest party because there were also ongoing negotiations for prior tours in Australia and Korea. Coordinating the event was a nightmare due to constant changes in itineraries which were dependent on the finalization of talks with other host countries.

Another damper was the denial of an official in Artest’s camp that a Manila trip was ever considered. Artest himself phoned this writer to confirm negotiations were in process with his Los Angeles-based Filipina friend Mimi Raquid whom he fondly calls Mama Mimi.

I was in Phoenix last July when Artest phoned from Indiana. I had asked Raquid for Artest to call so I could get the confirmation of negotiations from the man himself. Artest called me at the Marriott Hotel in Phoenix and spoke excitedly about bringing his half-Filipino son Jerron to Manila. Our conversation was cut when the line temporarily went dead but Artest phoned a few minutes later to continue our chat which went on for about 20 minutes. Artest also talked about meeting Jerron’s Filipino uncle James who owns a recording studio in Mandaluyong and performs with the rap band Q York.

Raquid even flew in from Los Angeles to coordinate the trip with local organizer Waffle Marketing. She stayed for two weeks trying to save the tour but has now gone back to the US.

To be fair, there was never a confirmation that Artest was coming, only a confirmation that negotiations were in progress to bring him over. Artest himself attested to this.

Jerron’s Filipino relatives were disappointed when informed of the cancellation. Veronica Uy Ramos, first cousin of Jerron’s mother Jennifer Uy Palma, said she was looking forward to the visit. Jennifer and Artest were high school classmates in New York. She was only 18 when she gave birth to Jerron whose name is an amalgam of Jen (for Jennifer) and Ron.

Artest has three other children with his wife Kimsha Hatfield. In our phone conversation, Artest said Jerron’s mother brought up their eight-year-old son well.

Veronica, who lives in Parañaque and works for a real estate developing company, said she will phone her relatives in New York to find out if Artest has future plans to visit here with Jerron.

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Retired UP vice president, professor and basketball enthusiast Martin Gregorio has a problem when the next PBA season opens. His three sons are involved with three different teams and he can’t decide which team to cheer for when they’re up against each other. Perhaps, the solution is to alternate sides with his wife Lucille, also a highly respected educator and a hoops fan.

Patrick, who heads Smart Sports, often sits in the PBA Board as the designate of PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan and Maynilad Water Services president Ricky Vargas representing Talk ‘N’ Text. Ryan is the Meralco head coach. And Allan is the newly designated Air 21 team manager.

For the record, Patrick is 43, Allan 42 and Ryan 38. Papa Martin said their supporting cast lists two sisters – Cecilia, 40, and Kristina, 33. Let’s not forget Mama Lucille, 67, retired UP science researcher, professor, lecturer and science specialist, UNESCO.

 “I started in professional basketball as team manager of the MBA’s Manila Metrostars,” said Allan. “I’ve coached in all levels until ending up with Smart-Gilas the past two years. I’m ready for future challenges and exciting new environments. My assignment as Air 21 team manager is a front office job. It’s not new to me because I used to be the manager for the Manila Metrostars before joining Ryan at UP.”

Allan sat on the Air 21 table during the PBA draft at Market! Market! last Sunday. The Express had six picks in all, four in the first round. Air 21 chose Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra in 1-2-3 order on the first round, traded No. 6 pick Sean Anthony to Powerade for a future slot, swapped its No. 18 selection also to Powerade for a future choice and passed on its No. 20 ticket. It was later announced that RenRen Ritualo was included in Air 21’s trade package to Powerade for the Tigers’ future picks.

Postscript. ALA Promotions owner Tony Aldeguer reports that former WBC minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan halted Tshepo Lefele in the sixth round of an IBF title eliminator in Brakpan, South Africa, last Wednesday. “Takayama fights under ALA Promotions and trains at our gym in Cebu,” adds Aldeguer proudly. Aldeguer says ALA Promotions is open to assist all fighters without tying them down to a managerial contract. Jimrex Jaca and Florante Condes saw action in an ALA card in Cebu last Saturday even as they’re not ALA fighters... At the NBA Asia Challenge game last Friday, only one player posted twin digits in assists - the Whites’ Ronnie Magsanoc who compiled 14 to go with 16 points in only 15 minutes. All nine White players scored in double figures. Only two of the 19 players who suited up didn’t hit in double figures - Red teammates Gary Payton and L. A. Tenorio who tallied seven apiece but combined for 14 assists.