SMB buying out Hontiveros' contract?

After Don Camaso and Rudy Hatfield, the Cebu Gems' Dondon Hontiveros may well become the next MBA star to join the PBA as the Cebu management has opened communication line with San Miguel Beer.

A reliable source said Cebu team manager Danny Francisco was to meet San Miguel counterpart Alberto Villa-Abrille yesterday afternoon to discuss a possible "win-win" situation for Hontiveros and the Gems.

This developed as the Laguna Lakers and the Pasig-Rizal Pirates announced they will also bid for the services of the Cebuano hotshot if he is released by the Cebu management.

A press statement from the MBA said the Cebu Gems will announce the fate of Hontiveros in a press conference in Cebu City today - the deadline for the submission of lineups for the MBA 2000 season.

Hontiveros has not attended Cebu's practice session since coach Tonichi Yturri opened the Cebu training camp last Jan. 13, saying he's interested to play now for San Miguel in the PBA.

But San Miguel officials made it clear they won't tender the prized player a formal offer until he gets his release papers from Cebu to which he has a live contract til next year.

A possible option to be discussed by Francisco and Villa-Abrille is San Miguel buying out Hontiveros' contract with the Gems. It was the same scheme Mobiline used in getting the services of Camaso from the Manila Metrostars.