Something in common

There’s something in common among L. A. Revilla, Virgil (J. R.) Buensuceso and Angelus (Bogart) Raymundo aside from the fact that they’re Kia Sorento teammates in the PBA. They all played just three games for Globalport before moving to Kia.

Revilla, 24, was Globalport’s third round pick in the 2013 draft and got to play only three games in the Philippine Cup last season. The 5-8 point guard was scoreless in Globalport’s losses to Barako Bull and Petron and had two points in a defeat to Rain Or Shine. From the PBA, Revilla drifted to the PBA D-League where he played for the Cagayan Rising Stars.

Buensuceso, 26, was Barangay Ginebra’s fifth round pick in 2012. The Fil-Am from Brigham Young University in Hawaii (Asi Taulava’s same school) scored only one point in three games with Globalport in 2012-13. Raymundo, 32, was undrafted in 2008 and made his PBA debut also with Globalport in 2012-13, scoring four points in three games. 

All three Globalport discards saw action for Kia in the Sorento’s 80-66 win over Blackwater in the PBA’s 40th season opener at the Philippine Arena last Sunday. Revilla was the standout of them all, earning Best Player honors after compiling 23 points and six rebounds in 21:14. He hit 10-of-15 from the floor, including 2-of-4 treys. Buensuceso started at point guard and finished with a point, four rebounds and two assists in 18:41. Raymundo came off the bench like Revilla and went scoreless but had five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 17:49.

Columbian Autocar Corp. president and Kia’s PBA Governor Ginia Domingo said playing coach Manny Pacquiao inspired the team to win. “Everyone contributed to the win by digging deep and clawing back from our 13-point deficit,” she said. “They didn’t lose heart and continued to play good basketball. I’m a fan of UAAP basketball and I’ve watched L. A. play for the ‘other’ team (La Salle) while admiring his skills. I’m very happy that he stepped up to lead the team. But also, I’d like to commend our team captain Rich Alvarez who hustled and played excellent defense. It was a great combination of L. A. orchestrating the offense and Rich leading our defense.”

* * * *

Domingo said she couldn’t restrain herself at courtside. “Friends kept reminding me that I’m now a lady Governor and should refrain from cheering animatedly,” she said. “But with the game like last Sunday’s, I just couldn’t help it. Our players were so pumped up.”

On paper, it seemed like Kia wouldn’t be able to beat Blackwater. The Sorento’s lineup listed six rookies – Kenneth Ighalo, Paul Sanga, Joshua Webb, Eder Saldua, Alvin Padilla and Pacquiao, six undrafted players – Sanga, Saldua, Hans Thiele, Chad Alonzo, Rudy Lingganay and Raymundo and six who are 30 and over – Thiele, 30, Saldua, 31, Raymundo, 32, Alvarez, 33, Alonzo, 34 and Pacquiao, 35. Kia only has three first round draft picks – Alvarez in 2004, Reil Cervantes in 2011 and Pacquiao this year.

In contrast, Blackwater brought in nine first round draft picks – Chris Timberlake (Ginebra in 2009), Juami Tiongson (Blackwater this year), Alex Nuyles (Rain Or Shine in 2013), Ogie Menor (Barako Bull in 2009), Paul Artadi (Purefoods in 2004), Jason Ballesteros (Meralco in 2011), Larry Rodriguez (Barako Bull in 2008), Bam-Bam Gamalinda (Meralco in 2010) and Eddie Laure (Shell in 2003). The Elite has only undrafted player Bryan Faundo in 2009 and five players who are 30 and over – Faundo, 30, Rodriguez, 31, Artadi, 33, Sunday Salvacion, 35 and Laure, 37.   

Kia team manager Eric Pineda said the Sorento treated last Sunday’s outing like a championship game. “It was our chance to show what we could do since we’re both expansion teams,” he said. “As expected, since most of our players are new to the PBA, in the first two quarters, they were all jittery. I told the guys at halftime ‘ilabas nila ang daga’ and get back to work.  Since we’ve got no stars, all coach Manny and (assistant coach) Glenn (Capacio) wanted was for everyone to play within the system. In every game, our only hope is to outwork the other team and our commitment to hard work is what our culture is all about.”

* * * *

Pineda said last Friday, team owner Gov. Jose (Pepito) Alvarez of Palawan met the Sorento players for the first time at the six-hectare, nine-building Azure Urban Resort Residences near the Bicutan exit of the South Luzon Expressway in Parañaque. Alvarez owns the property where the players were allocated condo units. “We told Gov. Alvarez we’re a fighting team, that we’ll never give up,” said Pineda. “If Ginebra’s slogan is never-say-die, we’ll do that, too, only with more intensity. Over the last three to four months, we’ve been working hard to be in top shape, thanks to our conditioning coach Chris Gavina.”

Pineda said while there are no high expectations, Kia is out to prove it’s no pushover. “We told the guys out of 90 million Filipinos, only 200 are qualified to play in the PBA so they’re among the elite basketball players in the country,” he continued. “This is their opportunity to shine so don’t waste it. Let’s show the PBA crowd what we’re made of. We reminded them that they’re not only athletes but also entertainers which is why they’ve got to play with a high level of intensity to make every game exciting. When we play, we won’t walk around and lag behind, we’re going to dive for every loose ball, fight for every rebound.”

As for Pacquiao, Pineda said he took the 7 a.m. flight out of Manila the day after the game to report to the gym in General Santos City as promised to Freddie Roach. “No matter what people say, especially the detractors in social media who don’t want Manny to play, I think the PBA fans showed love and respect for Manny last Sunday,” he said. “The reception was very, very warm and Manny appreciated it. Manny will be back on the court after the (Chris) Algieri fight and he’ll be better prepared to play. That’s something to look forward to.”