Dennis Espino was known as a Tiger during his playing years in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines while playing for University of Santo Tomas.
After 14 seasons playing as a Sta. Lucia Realtor, Espino is expected to wind up as the newest Tiger of Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola assistant coach Bo Perasol confirmed to Standard Today that they have already agreed with the Realtors in principle regarding the transfer of one of the best center/forwards the league has ever produced.
"Konting ayos na lang," said Perasol in a telephone interview. "Wala pa si Dennis sa Manila, but we have already agreed in principle with Sta. Lucia."
Espino was dealt to the Tigers in exchange for Jason Misolas and a future first-round pick.
The former national team standout's entry will certainly make the Coca-Cola frontline more formidable as he will team up with fellow veteran Asi Taulava, promising third-year pro Ken Bono and hardworking forward Larry Rodriguez.
By adding another experienced player into their lineup, Perasol knows they have to work double time on the conditioning process of their frontliners.
"Nasa sa kanila naman 'yan on how they can live up to our team's new philosophy, which is to run more," said Perasol. "Kailangan talagang magpa-kundisyon sila. Our idea is to have both Asi and Dennis together at the same time dahil sayang naman 'yung talent nila kung magpapalitan lang sila." Rey Joble - Manila Standard Today
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
LIFE GOES ON FOR WHOPPERS, COKE & BARAKO BULL RETOOL
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 17:53 — junior (www.pba.ph)
Though still hoping for the resolution of the Japeth Aguilar controversy soon, Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said he's not ready to wait forever as the Whoppers have to move on with or without the wayward player.
Guiao said they have to fix things specially as the team has traded Ken Bono to Coca-Cola.
"Okay pa naman kami. We have Carlo Sharma, Beau Belga and JR Quinahan as frontliners. But we have to look for a replacement kung talagang hindi na babalik si Japeth," said Guiao.
"In four days kung walang mangyayari, dapat kaming kumuha nang iba to fill up the slot. The season is about to start," Guiao added.
Coca-Cola has beefed up its own frontcourt in acquiring Bono through a three-way trade deal involving Barako Bull.
The Energy Boosters gave up a future draft pick for Bono whom they later dealt to the Tigers for point guard Aries Dimaunahan and forward MC Caceres.
In a continuing rebuilding process, Barako Bull also acquired Yousif Aljamal and Rob Reyes from Talk n Text.
BK top honcho Lito Alvarez plans to talk directly to Japeth's father Peter even as the player agent, Ronnie Nathanielsz, insists the Aguilars have made a decision for Japeth to dump Burger King for Smart Gilas.
Nathanielsz has reportedly said that Peter closed their door on BK after a phone talk with Guiao.
"I just explained everything and the possible consequences of their action to Peter. He told me 'sige kakausapin ko sila (I will talk to them).' My understanding is that he will explain things to Japeth and his manager," said Guiao.
"I believe I still have an open communication line with them (the Chicago-based parents of Japeth). But I have explained everything and I think it's enough. Baka makulitan sa akin," Guiao added.
Guiao said he had a phone talk with Peter the day after Japeth and Nathanielsz informed the BK people of their decision not to sign up with the team that made the player the top pick in the most recent PBA Annual Draft.
Japeth has reportedly left for the US. Before leaving, he had a lunch with a small group of sportswriters reiterating his decision to join the Smart Gilas developmental team. (NC)
Though still hoping for the resolution of the Japeth Aguilar controversy soon, Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said he's not ready to wait forever as the Whoppers have to move on with or without the wayward player.
Guiao said they have to fix things specially as the team has traded Ken Bono to Coca-Cola.
"Okay pa naman kami. We have Carlo Sharma, Beau Belga and JR Quinahan as frontliners. But we have to look for a replacement kung talagang hindi na babalik si Japeth," said Guiao.
"In four days kung walang mangyayari, dapat kaming kumuha nang iba to fill up the slot. The season is about to start," Guiao added.
Coca-Cola has beefed up its own frontcourt in acquiring Bono through a three-way trade deal involving Barako Bull.
The Energy Boosters gave up a future draft pick for Bono whom they later dealt to the Tigers for point guard Aries Dimaunahan and forward MC Caceres.
In a continuing rebuilding process, Barako Bull also acquired Yousif Aljamal and Rob Reyes from Talk n Text.
BK top honcho Lito Alvarez plans to talk directly to Japeth's father Peter even as the player agent, Ronnie Nathanielsz, insists the Aguilars have made a decision for Japeth to dump Burger King for Smart Gilas.
Nathanielsz has reportedly said that Peter closed their door on BK after a phone talk with Guiao.
"I just explained everything and the possible consequences of their action to Peter. He told me 'sige kakausapin ko sila (I will talk to them).' My understanding is that he will explain things to Japeth and his manager," said Guiao.
"I believe I still have an open communication line with them (the Chicago-based parents of Japeth). But I have explained everything and I think it's enough. Baka makulitan sa akin," Guiao added.
Guiao said he had a phone talk with Peter the day after Japeth and Nathanielsz informed the BK people of their decision not to sign up with the team that made the player the top pick in the most recent PBA Annual Draft.
Japeth has reportedly left for the US. Before leaving, he had a lunch with a small group of sportswriters reiterating his decision to join the Smart Gilas developmental team. (NC)
Barrios wants 1-on-1 dialogue with Japeth
In order to have a clearer picture of the issue, PBA Commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios wants to have another personal talk with Japeth Aguilar.
Barrios met with the 6-foot-10 Aguilar last week, but he said it was Manila Standard/Today sports columnist Ronnie Nathanielz, Aguilar's manager, who did most of the talking and explaining on why he had a sudden change of heart.
By joining Smart Gilas RP team, Aguilar turned down a three-year offer of Burger King approximately worth P8.7 million after taking him as the top overall pick in the previous PBA Rookie Draft.
"Up to this time, I would like to talk to him (Aguilar) man-to-man to get his personal views," Barrios said in Tuesday's PSA Forum at the Shakey's Restaurant in U.N. Ave., Manila. "I would (also) love to talk to Peter (Japeth's father)."
The commissioner said he is puzzled by the pronouncement of Aguilar's camp that somehow, it was a requirement for him to join the PBA Rookie Draft to be able to join the Powerade-Team Pilipinas.
According to Barrios, Aguilar was included to the national team that placed eighth overall in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China even before he applied for the Draft.
"I didn't sale pitch the PBA to Japeth," Barrios said. Waylon Galvez - Manila Bulletin
Barrios met with the 6-foot-10 Aguilar last week, but he said it was Manila Standard/Today sports columnist Ronnie Nathanielz, Aguilar's manager, who did most of the talking and explaining on why he had a sudden change of heart.
By joining Smart Gilas RP team, Aguilar turned down a three-year offer of Burger King approximately worth P8.7 million after taking him as the top overall pick in the previous PBA Rookie Draft.
"Up to this time, I would like to talk to him (Aguilar) man-to-man to get his personal views," Barrios said in Tuesday's PSA Forum at the Shakey's Restaurant in U.N. Ave., Manila. "I would (also) love to talk to Peter (Japeth's father)."
The commissioner said he is puzzled by the pronouncement of Aguilar's camp that somehow, it was a requirement for him to join the PBA Rookie Draft to be able to join the Powerade-Team Pilipinas.
According to Barrios, Aguilar was included to the national team that placed eighth overall in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China even before he applied for the Draft.
"I didn't sale pitch the PBA to Japeth," Barrios said. Waylon Galvez - Manila Bulletin
Coke lends 2 Tigers to Bulls
In an effort to help a Philippine Basketball Association team currently facing financial problems, Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon disclosed that the Tigers will lend two of its players to the Barako Bull and even pay their salaries.
The players are Aries Dimaunahan and Manuel Caceres.
"Since Cola-Cola has an excess of players, who will be benched anyway, we gave them to Red Bull. But since they are still under contract, we will be paying their salaries until the end of their contract in July next year, which in effect, is one season," Baylon told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports.
The Coca-Cola governor and team manager said Dimaunahan played for Barako Bulls' coach Leo Isaac in the past, while Caceres is a good young man, who didn't get the playing time he deserved.
"I think they will be able to get their playing time with Barako Bulls," said Baylon, who conceded the move would be a considerable savings for the Barako Bull franchise.
"While we pay your salary, you better play as Barako Bulls, especially when you're playing against us because you have to demonstrate that if the Barako Bulls are bought by a new owner, you have to demonstrate that you are worth being a player there," said the Coke official. Ronnie Nathanielsz - Manila Standard Today
The players are Aries Dimaunahan and Manuel Caceres.
"Since Cola-Cola has an excess of players, who will be benched anyway, we gave them to Red Bull. But since they are still under contract, we will be paying their salaries until the end of their contract in July next year, which in effect, is one season," Baylon told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports.
The Coca-Cola governor and team manager said Dimaunahan played for Barako Bulls' coach Leo Isaac in the past, while Caceres is a good young man, who didn't get the playing time he deserved.
"I think they will be able to get their playing time with Barako Bulls," said Baylon, who conceded the move would be a considerable savings for the Barako Bull franchise.
"While we pay your salary, you better play as Barako Bulls, especially when you're playing against us because you have to demonstrate that if the Barako Bulls are bought by a new owner, you have to demonstrate that you are worth being a player there," said the Coke official. Ronnie Nathanielsz - Manila Standard Today
Monday, August 31, 2009
Spare Japeth, ban advisers
source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com
The uproar over Japeth Aguilar’s reported refusal to play in the PBA after he applied for the draft and was picked first overall by Burger King is understandable. It’s like the 22-year-old wunderkind took the 34-year-old PBA for a ride, basked in the glory of becoming the league’s first overall draft choice and now is declaring free agency.
You can’t blame the PBA for crying foul. Aguilar hogged the spotlight in the recent PBA draft and nearly wept when commissioner Sonny Barrios officially declared him the year’s top overall pick. A dream come true was how Aguilar described his ascension to the pro ranks.
But Aguilar has since changed his tune. He’s been offered the maximum three-year contract by Burger King, leaving no room for negotiation, and the former Western Kentucky reserve center isn’t signing.
Under PBA rules, a drafted player who doesn’t come to terms with the team that has his rights will sit out a year. He will sit out another year if he still fails to reach an agreement with the same team. On the third year, he will be allowed to reenlist in the draft. The consolation of the team that held his rights is he will not have played for any other team for two years.
In Aguilar’s case, the PBA is considering a lifetime ban or at least a severe penalty. The rules don’t stipulate such a penalty but Barrios has the discretion to lower the boom on Aguilar for reneging on his commitment to play in the PBA.
“The PBA rules allowing for a two-year sit-out do not apply to Japeth because this is not a case of negotiation since he has been offered the maximum terms,” said a PBA insider. “We never forced Japeth to apply for the draft but he did. With his application comes a commitment to play. He was drafted first overall, an honor for any player, and for Japeth to now refuse to play in the PBA is a slap on the face of a league that is an institution.”
Some PBA Board members chastised Aguilar for making a mockery of the league because of his turnaround.
However, is Aguilar really to blame? Remember, he’s just a kid. His father Peter, a former PBA cager, is in Chicago and unable to appreciate the circumstances surrounding the case.
* * * *
When Aguilar joined the Smart-Gilas tryouts in Las Vegas last summer, he gained the vote of confidence from Serbian coach Rajko Toroman who described him as the country’s best big man prospect by far. Aguilar subsequently told Toroman he wanted to play for Smart-Gilas and would delay his application for the PBA draft.
Toroman said Aguilar hardly saw action for Western Kentucky the last two years and the 6-9 prospect needed to gain more court experience before entering the pros.
Then, Aguilar arrived in Manila and was surrounded by advisers who promised the PBA they would deliver the kid to the league. The advisers swore they meant well and only had Aguilar’s best interests in mind.
To warm up Aguilar for the PBA, national coach Yeng Guiao brought him to Taipei to play for the Powerade squad at the Jones Cup. Aguilar later joined the national team in Tianjin for the FIBA-Asia Championships.
It was during the Tianjin tournament that reality dawned on Aguilar. His eyes were opened to the bottom line that he’s not ready to go to war in the pros. Because of his lack of competitive exposure, Aguilar would be easy prey for the likes of Jay-R Reyes, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava and even a hardened rookie like Rico Maierhofer in the PBA.
Aguilar must have realized he listened to the wrong advisers. He was clearly misled. In Las Vegas, it seemed certain he would join Smart-Gilas and postpone his entry into the PBA. But shortly after he landed in Manila and spoke with his “well-meaning” advisers, he changed his mind.
If Aguilar had maliciously and deviously plotted to snub the PBA, then maybe he deserves a lifetime ban. But it’s evident that he never meant to malign the PBA. He was misled into thinking he was ready for the pros by advisers who like to present themselves as righteous and sincere. Surely, the PBA can’t be harsh on a kid who made a serious mistake in finding his basketball career path. Instead of detractors ganging up on Aguilar, his advisers should be lined up against the wall in front of a firing squad.
* * * *
Aguilar has a tremendous upside and will someday be a dominant force in the PBA but not right now. In two or three years, he will be ready for the PBA and be a valuable asset. At the moment, Aguilar is better off learning the ropes from Toroman and playing for Smart-Gilas. In the end, the PBA will benefit from this maturing process.
If Aguilar is forced to play in the PBA and doesn’t impress, the effect will be damaging to his career. Of course, he may prove this theory wrong by dominating as a rookie but that’s not likely.
Meanwhile, there is the matter of compensating Burger King which has Aguilar’s signing rights in the PBA. Perhaps, to ease the pain of his withdrawal, Burger King could be compensated by a team that’s willing to take a chance on Aguilar as a future project. That way, Burger King doesn’t walk away empty-handed unless the Whoppers choose to keep his rights and wait for further developments.
If Aguilar is convinced he isn’t ready for the PBA and would like more court experience with Smart-Gilas, the humane thing to do is to let the kid do his thing. He shouldn’t be branded for life but encouraged to learn from this mistake. He should also be more discerning in listening to advisers who pretend to be well-meaning.
By the way, a similar case involved Danny Ferry in the 1989 NBA draft. He was picked second overall by the Los Angeles Clippers but refused to play for the team. Ferry spurned the Clippers and played a season in the Italian league. The Clippers soon gave up on Ferry and traded his rights to the Cleveland Cavs who signed the center a year later.
Note that the NBA didn’t slap a lifetime ban on Ferry even if the former Duke star applied for the draft and was actually picked.
In Aguilar’s case, maybe Talk ‘N’ Talk could trade for his rights. Because of common ownership with Smart-Gilas, the Tropang Texters may choose to sit out Aguilar and allow him to play for Toroman. This way, Burger King is compensated via the trade, Aguilar gets his wish to gain more court experience outside the PBA, Smart-Gilas is reinforced by a major recruit and the PBA still keeps Aguilar in its rolls through Talk ‘N’ Text.
The uproar over Japeth Aguilar’s reported refusal to play in the PBA after he applied for the draft and was picked first overall by Burger King is understandable. It’s like the 22-year-old wunderkind took the 34-year-old PBA for a ride, basked in the glory of becoming the league’s first overall draft choice and now is declaring free agency.
You can’t blame the PBA for crying foul. Aguilar hogged the spotlight in the recent PBA draft and nearly wept when commissioner Sonny Barrios officially declared him the year’s top overall pick. A dream come true was how Aguilar described his ascension to the pro ranks.
But Aguilar has since changed his tune. He’s been offered the maximum three-year contract by Burger King, leaving no room for negotiation, and the former Western Kentucky reserve center isn’t signing.
Under PBA rules, a drafted player who doesn’t come to terms with the team that has his rights will sit out a year. He will sit out another year if he still fails to reach an agreement with the same team. On the third year, he will be allowed to reenlist in the draft. The consolation of the team that held his rights is he will not have played for any other team for two years.
In Aguilar’s case, the PBA is considering a lifetime ban or at least a severe penalty. The rules don’t stipulate such a penalty but Barrios has the discretion to lower the boom on Aguilar for reneging on his commitment to play in the PBA.
“The PBA rules allowing for a two-year sit-out do not apply to Japeth because this is not a case of negotiation since he has been offered the maximum terms,” said a PBA insider. “We never forced Japeth to apply for the draft but he did. With his application comes a commitment to play. He was drafted first overall, an honor for any player, and for Japeth to now refuse to play in the PBA is a slap on the face of a league that is an institution.”
Some PBA Board members chastised Aguilar for making a mockery of the league because of his turnaround.
However, is Aguilar really to blame? Remember, he’s just a kid. His father Peter, a former PBA cager, is in Chicago and unable to appreciate the circumstances surrounding the case.
* * * *
When Aguilar joined the Smart-Gilas tryouts in Las Vegas last summer, he gained the vote of confidence from Serbian coach Rajko Toroman who described him as the country’s best big man prospect by far. Aguilar subsequently told Toroman he wanted to play for Smart-Gilas and would delay his application for the PBA draft.
Toroman said Aguilar hardly saw action for Western Kentucky the last two years and the 6-9 prospect needed to gain more court experience before entering the pros.
Then, Aguilar arrived in Manila and was surrounded by advisers who promised the PBA they would deliver the kid to the league. The advisers swore they meant well and only had Aguilar’s best interests in mind.
To warm up Aguilar for the PBA, national coach Yeng Guiao brought him to Taipei to play for the Powerade squad at the Jones Cup. Aguilar later joined the national team in Tianjin for the FIBA-Asia Championships.
It was during the Tianjin tournament that reality dawned on Aguilar. His eyes were opened to the bottom line that he’s not ready to go to war in the pros. Because of his lack of competitive exposure, Aguilar would be easy prey for the likes of Jay-R Reyes, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, Asi Taulava and even a hardened rookie like Rico Maierhofer in the PBA.
Aguilar must have realized he listened to the wrong advisers. He was clearly misled. In Las Vegas, it seemed certain he would join Smart-Gilas and postpone his entry into the PBA. But shortly after he landed in Manila and spoke with his “well-meaning” advisers, he changed his mind.
If Aguilar had maliciously and deviously plotted to snub the PBA, then maybe he deserves a lifetime ban. But it’s evident that he never meant to malign the PBA. He was misled into thinking he was ready for the pros by advisers who like to present themselves as righteous and sincere. Surely, the PBA can’t be harsh on a kid who made a serious mistake in finding his basketball career path. Instead of detractors ganging up on Aguilar, his advisers should be lined up against the wall in front of a firing squad.
* * * *
Aguilar has a tremendous upside and will someday be a dominant force in the PBA but not right now. In two or three years, he will be ready for the PBA and be a valuable asset. At the moment, Aguilar is better off learning the ropes from Toroman and playing for Smart-Gilas. In the end, the PBA will benefit from this maturing process.
If Aguilar is forced to play in the PBA and doesn’t impress, the effect will be damaging to his career. Of course, he may prove this theory wrong by dominating as a rookie but that’s not likely.
Meanwhile, there is the matter of compensating Burger King which has Aguilar’s signing rights in the PBA. Perhaps, to ease the pain of his withdrawal, Burger King could be compensated by a team that’s willing to take a chance on Aguilar as a future project. That way, Burger King doesn’t walk away empty-handed unless the Whoppers choose to keep his rights and wait for further developments.
If Aguilar is convinced he isn’t ready for the PBA and would like more court experience with Smart-Gilas, the humane thing to do is to let the kid do his thing. He shouldn’t be branded for life but encouraged to learn from this mistake. He should also be more discerning in listening to advisers who pretend to be well-meaning.
By the way, a similar case involved Danny Ferry in the 1989 NBA draft. He was picked second overall by the Los Angeles Clippers but refused to play for the team. Ferry spurned the Clippers and played a season in the Italian league. The Clippers soon gave up on Ferry and traded his rights to the Cleveland Cavs who signed the center a year later.
Note that the NBA didn’t slap a lifetime ban on Ferry even if the former Duke star applied for the draft and was actually picked.
In Aguilar’s case, maybe Talk ‘N’ Talk could trade for his rights. Because of common ownership with Smart-Gilas, the Tropang Texters may choose to sit out Aguilar and allow him to play for Toroman. This way, Burger King is compensated via the trade, Aguilar gets his wish to gain more court experience outside the PBA, Smart-Gilas is reinforced by a major recruit and the PBA still keeps Aguilar in its rolls through Talk ‘N’ Text.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)