Alvarez, Hizon back in PBA after USBL stint?

Pennsylvania Valleydawgs general manager Sam Unera believes Bong Alvarez and Vince Hizon are more than ready to come back in the PBA after their stint with the USBL ball club recently.

"If they were able to compete in the USBL, why not here? Hizon has improved his game while Alvarez is still in the best of shape. Akala nga ng mga teammates niya doon, 24 lang si Bong," said Unera.

According to the US-based player agent, Alvarez and Hizon are still hoping to return to the PBA. Alvarez, 36, is set to join his former team FedEx in practice in the next few days while Hizon has rejoined the touring San Miguel All Stars.

Alvarez and Hizon must have gained more basketball wisdom after suiting up with the Valleydawgs who ruled the recent USBL tourney. Unera said the two Filipino players played in 15 of the Dawgs’ 18 outings in the tourney.

"Nawala na ang tentativeness ni Vince because of coach Darryl Dawkins. For a while nga, Vince led the league in three-point field-goal percentage," said Unera of Hizon.

Alvarez and Hizon would be seen live in action with the Dawgs if Unera finds corporate backer which would finance the team’s trip to the Philippines in September. If ever the Dawgs’ trip here pushes through, the team would be mentored by the legendary Robert "The Big J" Jaworski.

Unera said he’s still talking to potential sponsors that’s why he’s still in the country. "Dapat pauwi na ako ngayon (yesterday). I postponed my flight home to Tuesday dahil baka may maisara akong sponsorship negotiation on Monday," he said.

The Dawgs are scheduled to figure in a series of exhibition games versus PBA ball clubs in September. Another foreign team, the SK Telecom Knights of South Korea, is also coming over to play the PBA teams in the same series serving as the local pro league’s hype for the 2004 PBA season which opens Oct. 3.

The Knights’ trip here is almost a done deal since SK Telecom has its own budget. — Nelson Beltran