Welcome back, Eric - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

It all happened so fast for Eric Altamirano.

Last Monday – at about 5 p.m., Altamirano got a phone call from Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo inviting him to a meeting with Rene Montemayor, company President, at the office in Mandaluyong the next day. Pardo didn’t say why. He didn’t have to. That morning, word got around that Derick Pumaren had quit Purefoods to coach Tanduay in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

So Altamirano, who’s been busy lately attending to his Zagu outlet in Quezon City, went to meet Montemayor the next day. Topmost in his mind was to clear things with Purefoods management. Remember that after the 1998 All-Filipino Cup, Altamirano couldn’t come to terms on a contract extension and left Purefoods to join Mobiline. Altamirano said taking over from Pumaren was a secondary consideration.

Altamirano spent about three hours talking basketball with Montemayor, Pardo, Purefoods PBA Board representative Butch Alejo, and alternate representative Ely Capacio. He was called for a second meeting – this time, an interview – last Thursday. Montemayor, Pardo and Capacio sat with Altamirano for an hour. He was told a decision on a new coach would be made in 24 hours.

Altamirano couldn’t be sure who else were in contention for the job. He only knew what he read from the papers. Joel Banal, formerly of Pasig-Rizal in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), was another candidate. Others rumored to be under consideration were Chito Narvasa, Philip Cezar, Manny Dandan, and Alvin Patrimonio as playing coach.

Banal learned about the decision yesterday afternoon. He told The STAR since he didn’t get the job, he would pursue his case against Pasig-Rizal in the MBA for breach of contract. Banal has two years left in his MBA coaching contract but hasn’t been paid since October. He said he still dreams of someday coaching in the PBA and will probably go to the US to observe coaching techniques this year.

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Last Friday afternoon, Pardo phoned Altamirano to break the news. He had the job if he wanted it. At 6:30 p.m., Altamirano was at the Purefoods office to sign a one-year contract.

"To be honest, I didn’t mind a non-guaranteed contract," said Altamirano. "That’s because I wanted to reciprocate Purefoods’ trust and confidence. I’m grateful that Purefoods is giving me another chance. Personally, I’m looking forward to a long relationship. I’m very challenged. I want to prove myself again – starting from scratch. I want to prove myself to management, the players, and the league."

Altamirano, 34, made his coaching debut at Purefoods in 1997 and piloted the Hot Dogs to the All-Filipino title in his initial conference. He later moved to Mobiline then was fired during the All-Filipino Cup last season.

"I’m a little wiser now than when I started in 1997," said Altamirano. "I’ve grown in knowledge. I was naive in the beginning – I didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous. I didn’t know what buttons to push. Now, things are different. I’ve learned from my mistakes – I’m building from my past experiences. It’s a tall order for Purefoods to continue winning. The PBA is a lot more competitive today. The other teams have gotten stronger. Our advantage is our chemistry – we know each other, we’re comfortable with each other, we’re intact, we’re solid. It’ll take a while to install my system but I’ll adjust to the players, not the other way around. I hope to take the team to the next level and continue the team’s success. Our goal is to win championships."

It’s fate that Altamirano’s assistant is his pal Ryan Gregorio who was hired by Purefoods a week earlier. Gregorio was Altamirano’s assistant at the University of the Philippines, Purefoods, and Mobiline. Of course, he’s excited about working with Gregorio again. It’s like a grand reunion – with Gregorio and Alvin Patrimonio, Rey Evangelista, E.J. Feihl, Andy Seigle, and Dindo Pumaren. Altamirano said the only players he hasn’t coached in the Purefoods roster are Noy Castillo, Boyet Fernandez, Richard Yee, Jesse Cabanayan, Braulio Lim and Rommel Daep.

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Yesterday, Altamirano reported for his first practice at the Reyes Gym. The practice was scheduled at 9 a.m. When Altamirano walked in at 8:30 a.m., all the players were there. The first to welcome him back was Seigle who planed in the day before at 1:30 a.m. after a flight delay.

Altamirano spoke to each player one-on-one in a room then watched the last 30 minutes of scrimmage. Last night, he met with Gregorio to map out a strategy for the draft this afternoon.

"It was a great feeling," said Altamirano. "Cap (Patrimonio) is in great shape and told me he’s happy I’m back. Man of few words si Cap – sabi niya, balik uli kami, dating gawi. I’m expecting a big year from Alvin – he’s out to prove something. As for Andy, he denied the talk in the papers that he wouldn’t work with me. Of course, you remember I traded him when we were at Mobiline. Andy told me he couldn’t have talked to anyone in media because he just got in the day before – at 1:30 a.m. pa nga. Andy’s a lot different now – he’s got a family. He had a good season – he should’ve been named to the Mythical Five. He’s looked up to as our next leader. He’s matured a lot and I’m looking forward to working with him."

Altamirano averaged about 15 minutes talking to each player — a sort of getting-to-know-you-again session. While players waited their turn, they practiced in the gym under Gregorio.

When Altamirano was fired last year, it was a traumatic experience. His wife Marissa was then undergoing a difficult pregnancy. She eventually lost her baby after three months on the way. Out of a job, Altamirano took the opportunity to take care of his wife and spend more time with their kids, Anton, 9, and Luigi, 6.

Shortly after his dismissal from Mobiline, I predicted — in this column on May 10 last year — that Altamirano would be back in basketball — "that’s for sure because you can’t keep a good man down." Then, last December, I mentioned — in this column again — that a popular, well-liked former coach would be back on the bench in the PBA soon. I didn’t name him. I didn’t have to. Deep down inside, Altamirano knew who it was. Now, you know.