Another recruit for Bulldogs?

A grandson of former Philippine national basketball team coach Francis Rodriguez is itching to play in the UAAP and if 5-10 guard C. J. Blardony’s father William gets his wish, the 19-year-old prospect will suit up for the National University (NU) Bulldogs.

Blardony went to Lourdes School in Mandaluyong then moved to Ibale Center for Academe in Cebu to finish his elementary studies. He enrolled at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion for high school and after graduation in 2008, flew to London to join his father.

In London, Blardony was recruited to play for the Eagles Basketball Academy where he studied sports science for two years. Now that he’s done with the course, Blardony dreams of coming home to strut his wares on the hardcourt.

“My main motive is to go back to the Philippines,” said Blardony. “I got a men’s Division I offer asking me to play but I really want to go back since my dream is to play in the UAAP. My dad brought my videos and spoke to some coaches. NU showed interest but is not sure yet because they are checking the requirements I need. I finished my high school in the Philippines and I’m Filipino so am I not eligible to play in the UAAP right away? If somehow, I don’t meet the requirements for eligibility, I’m looking to play in the PBA D-League. I’m willing to fly over and attend tryouts. I just want a chance.”

Blardony said he can play both point and shooting guard. 

“I play like Stephen Curry (of the Golden State Warriors),” he continued. “I can shoot about anywhere on the court as well as looking after my teammates. I look up to Allan Caidic. Just the way he shoots the ball is unbelievable.”

Blardony’s father is half-Filipino, half-Spanish while his mother Virnalisi Sison is full Filipino.

“My dad used to be based in Manila but now, he’s in London working,” he went on. “My dad spoke to Bobby Parks through email and asked my grandfather, coach Francis Rodriguez, to bring my basketball profile and video to Bobby. At the moment, I’m training every day around four hours. I do weight training and plyometrics in the morning then basketball in the afternoon at the academy. I work part-time in a sports shop which is only around 10 hours a week for some pocket money. I live with my aunt in Barnsley, England, since the academy is near her home. I’ll be moving to London to stay with my father so that we can study my options closely together.”

Blardony said Rodriguez is his grandfather from his father’s side. His mother is in the US and separated from his father. He has a sister, a step-sister from his father’s side and a step-brother from his mother’s side.

NU athletic director Junel Baculi said the other day he is not aware of Blardony’s situation. “Maybe, his video is with Bobby and it hasn’t been forwarded to me yet,” said Baculi.

The Bulldogs are hoping to make it to the UAAP Final Four this season then go for the championship next year when NU hosts the league at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Mall of Asia stadium. 

Baculi said the fate of Parks’ son Bobby Ray will be decided by the UAAP Board this month. There is talk that some members of the UAAP Board of Trustees will require another year of residence before declaring Parks’ eligibility as a varsity player. 

“I don’t want to pre-empt the UAAP Board on its decision but I have papers to prove that Ray graduated high school in the Philippines,” said Baculi, adding that Parks has served a year of residence at National.

Parks turned down an offer to play for Georgia Tech, an NCAA Division I school, in deciding to suit up for NU. He reportedly has a Department of Education document confirming his completion of high school studies in the country. 

* * * *

For a one-time UAAP MVP, Ken Bono is a mystery in the PBA.  Bono, who turns 27 in two weeks, can’t seem to find a home in the pros, moving from Alaska to San Miguel to Coca-Cola to Barako Bull. The 6-4 center from Adamson is looking for a breakthrough and so far, the outlook isn’t bright.

But Bono isn’t giving up. He recently agreed to receive half of his remaining contract’s salary with Barako in exchange for an unconditional release. To stay in shape, Bono joined the Misamis Oriental Meteors in Liga Pilipinas last May 16. He hasn’t signed a contract with the Meteors and won’t so that he can jump back into the PBA at a moment’s notice.

In Liga, Bono appears to have rediscovered his game. In a recent encounter against Laguna, he scored 14 points and more than held his own in the middle. Among his Misamis teammates are ex-pros Egay Billiones, Dennis Daa, Allan Salangsang, Neil Raneses, Ron Capati and Mark Andaya.

“Ken is upbeat and optimistic that he will be able to return to the PBA and is doing all he can to achieve this goal,” said Bono’s wife Maya. “He has not lost hope that there is still a pro team that will give him a chance and promises the team will benefit from his services, if given a break. Ken has regained his old playing form and confidence.”

Bono’s father Anthony Shannon is a former US Marine and his mother Maria Nonie Bono is from Iloilo. He was the UAAP MVP in 2006 and runner-up to Jason Castro for MVP honors in the PBL in 2007. Bono was the sixth overall pick in the 2007 PBA draft. Surely, his amateur credentials are an indication of a huge upside in the PBA – if only a team is willing to take a chance, he might just make believers out of skeptics.