Kerby to train on his own

Star forward Kerby Raymundo’s PBA contract with B-Meg expired last Sunday and now, he’s a restricted free agent. That means while Raymundo remains unsigned, B-Meg has the right of first refusal on his services for a year. Theoretically, if Raymundo decides to sit out this coming season, he may negotiate to join any team of his choice in the 2012-13 campaign.

But it doesn’t look like Raymundo will leave B-Meg. The reason why Raymundo’s not rushing a renewal is because he wants to prove to B-Meg management that he’s fit, ready to play and deserving of another contract. That only proves Raymundo’s professionalism. He doesn’t want to short-change the franchise that has been so good to him the last nine years.

Raymundo, 30, used to be known as “The Kid.” He was initially in the Red Bull roster, elevated from the PBL with five others (DaVonn Harp, Jimwell Torion, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela and Bernard Tanpua) in a concession to the franchise in its debut season in 2000. Then, Raymundo was traded to Purefoods in 2002. If he was called “The Kid” in his early PBA days, now he’s “The Man.”

In the Fiesta Conference last season, Raymundo played in only two of 31 games. He sat out 19 contests to start the conference then came back to play two games against Rain Or Shine in the quarterfinals. Still feeling pain in his hip, Raymundo was deactivated the rest of the conference. He flew to the US in August and after three weeks of medical appointments, underwent hip surgery. Determined to bounce back, Raymundo began rehabilitation two days after the operation. The therapy was a tedious process and took four months.

Meanwhile, the new PBA season had begun. Raymundo missed the entire Philippine Cup where B-Meg was eliminated by eventual champion Talk ‘N’ Text in six games in the semifinals. In the Commissioner’s Cup, Raymundo was back in harness and played five games, averaging 13.2 points. He looked fit in scoring 22 points against the Tropang Texters last April 11. Then came another blow. In an exhibition game in Cebu during the offseason, Raymundo suffered a fracture in his foot and it struck him out for the Governors Cup.

Raymundo said the fracture has healed but he’s been advised to sit out the rest of the conference. B-Meg played its last game of the season against Petron last night.

On Aug. 15, Raymundo flies to Los Angeles to undergo strengthening exercises with conditioning coach John Meyer of the University of Southern California and sharpen his basketball skills with coach Paul Mitalski. He’s paying his own way. Raymundo doesn’t want to burden B-Meg management further and wants to show his gratitude by working on his own to get stronger for the team next season.

“Okay na injury ko,” said Raymundo. “I’ll be working on my strength and conditioning in the US so when the All-Filipino conference starts, I’ll be ready. This setback is a set up for a greater comeback.”

PBA chairman and B-Meg Governor Rene Pardo confirmed that Raymundo has not signed a renewal. “He wants to go to the US at his own expense for conditioning, to come back two to three weeks after and sit down for contract renewal with us,” said Pardo. “We still have rights to him for a year.”

It’s not too often that you encounter a pro athlete like Raymundo who won’t take advantage of his team management’s generosity. He wants to prove he’s worth the team’s investment and insists to do it his way, on his own. When he returns from the US in playing condition, that’s the time he’ll present himself to management for a contract renewal. Raymundo is a shining example for all professional athletes.

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The Philippine entry Legit Status finished fifth among 10 finalists in the 18-and-under varsity division of the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas last Monday. The team, made up of five males and three females from five different Manila schools, took eighth place in the eliminations where 50 entries checked in. Legit Status was fifth of 25 in the semifinals which advanced the top nine to join defending champion Japan in the 10-team finals. In the three phases of competition, each entry performed a two-minute dance routine.

New Zealand wound up topping the varsity division with Japan second and the US third. In the adult division, the UK was first followed by New Zealand and the US. “They did well,” said Teddy Dario whose daughter Gabby was on the team. “It’s just really difficult to beat teams that practice for a year or more. Legit Status only practiced around five months because of funding constraints. That’s the sad reality of Philippines sports, arts and culture – reminds me of how it was with the Azkals before the football boom.”

Legit Status’ fifth place finish was the highest ever by a Filipino crew in the varsity division since the competition began in 2002. The Philippines was seventh in 2009 and sixth last year. Unfortunately, the team has to break up as seven of the eight dancers will be over 18 by the next championships. “It was an unbelievable performance by the kids,” said Dario. “The talent level was much higher than last year. All the teams in the finals could’ve won.”

In the adult division, two Filipino teams qualified for the finals but failed to land in the top three. The Philippine All-Stars and The Crew represented the country in the open category which the Philippines won in 2006 and 2008.