Full circle for Ali

Some new generation PBA fans, born after the “Thrilla In Manila” era of the ‘70s, are wondering if Ali Mall was named after Talk ‘N’ Text center Ali Peek. For the record, Ali Mall wasn’t named for Peek, Ali Sotto, Kirstie Alley or heaven forbid, Ali Baba and his 40 Thieves. That was for Muhammad Ali who battled Joe Frazier at the Big Dome in 1975.

But you can’t blame PBA fans of today for thinking Peek is a legend worth naming a mall for even if I don’t think he’s a mall rat. That’s because it seems Peek has been around forever. Peek turned 37 last February and has played in the PBA since 1998 when he was drafted third overall by Pop Cola behind Danny Ildefonso and Noy Castillo.

Peek is now one of the PBA’s “elders.” The most senior of them all is Alaska’s Nic Belasco who turns 39 in December. Then there’s Talk ‘N’ Text’s John Ferriols, 38. Peek is next on the “oldies but goodies” ladder followed by Barako’s Mick Pennisi, 37 and Global Port teammates Wil Antonio, 37, and Rommel Adducul, 36.

The other night, Peek made his debut in the PBA’s 38th season, collecting 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots in 28 minutes as Talk ‘N’ Text outlasted Meralco, 112-110, in overtime at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. What’s remarkable is Peek continues to play at a high level despite a bullet lodged in his nape. Last year, he was shot from behind in the parking lot of the RFM gym after a workout. Luckily, the bullet didn’t hit any vital part of Peek’s body and doctors later cleared him to play without surgery. The slug is now wrapped in scar tissue without causing any harm. The only problem Peek has with the bullet is it touches off security alarms when he goes through metal detectors in airports and shopping malls. He’s used to it by now and for sure, so are the guards in his favorite malls.

Texters team manager Aboy Castro confirmed the bullet remains in Peek’s neck. “There’s no danger, he’s playing with it,” said Castro. “Doctors think if there is an attempt to remove it, the intrusive procedure will be dangerous. The gunman has been identified and a warrant of arrest has been issued but he’s still at large.”

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In a light mood before the Meralco game, Peek said working with new Texters coach Norman Black is like going full circle in his PBA career. “It was coach Norman who recruited me in 1998, the year he came out of retirement to play as an import with Pop Cola while coaching us at the same time,” the 14-year pro recalled. Black, then 41, was prodded by his players to wear his sneakers one last time in the battle for third against Shell in the Commissioner’s Cup. Black hadn’t played in two years and it was only his second game in eight seasons. But gamely, Black put on the Pop Cola jersey to compile 10 points, 16 rebounds and five assists as he led his team to victory.

“Now that coach Norman is my coach again, I hope it’s not a sign for me after going full circle,” chuckled Peek who isn’t ready to retire any time soon. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem adjusting to coach Norman who’s been our scout the last four years and the architect of our defensive system. As for coach Chot (Reyes), I don’t think I’ll miss his fashion sense and screaming. Nobody dresses like him. But he’s now with Gilas so we’ll still appreciate his fashion sense. Coach Chot is a great motivator.”

Peek said playing Meralco without Asi Taulava is a weird feeling. “It’s just weird that Asi’s not playing in the PBA anymore,” he said. The league won’t ever be the same without Taulava and Peek banging bodies to jockey for rebounding position.

Not too many fans know that Peek saw action for the St. Mary’s College varsity that represented the US at the 17th Jones Cup in Taipei in 1994. St. Mary’s is the Moraga, California, La Salle Christian Brothers school that produced former PBA imports Diamon Simpson and Omar Samhan. Simpson is now playing as an import in Israel after a stint in Australia. St. Mary’s won the Jones Cup title when Peek was on the roster. Two NBA players who trace their roots to St. Mary’s are San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills and retired legend Tom Meschery. Former PBA import Mike Rozenski was also from St. Mary’s.

In last Friday’s Meralco-Talk ‘N’ Text game, Virgil Villavicencio was a winner either way. He began his PBA career with Talk ‘N’ Text as assistant team manager then moved to Meralco as team manager. Now, in a new more challenging assignment, Villavicencio – who once played guard for La Salle – takes care of media relations, among other things, for both Talk ‘N’ Text and Meralco.

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Another sure winner was retired UP vice chancellor for administration Martin Gregorio whose sons are affiliated with both teams. His son Patrick is Talk ‘N’ Text alternative governor in the PBA Board and another son Ryan coaches Meralco. Gregorio’s wife Lucille was not in the stands cheering for both teams but she watched the game on live streaming in Hanoi where she is currently assigned on a contract with UNESCO.

Meralco came back from a 24-point deficit to force overtime before succumbing down the stretch. Jay-R Reyes, now a full-time center with Taulava gone, delivered 25 points, 17 in the fourth quarter, and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes to lead the Bolts’ charge. Cliff Hodge had an auspicious debut with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and no turnover in 44 minutes while new Meralco hire Ronjay Buenafe came through with 18 points, including 3-of-9 triples. Meralco’s late rally was fueled by a serious assault on the boards where the Bolts outrebounded the Texters, 62-51. Meralco also had more second chance points, 21-5.