Potentially explosive

Probably the hottest import tandem in town for the Samsung Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup is Sta. Lucia Realty’s pair of Stephen Howard and Willie Farley.

Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black said he initially thought of rehiring La Salle’s Victor Thomas but when Howard became available, he looked for a more versatile partner who could help Paolo Mendoza in bringing up the ball. Farley, an adept ballhandler, was the perfect choice.

What about Damian Owens? Black said Owens tore his Achilles tendon while playing in Finland and won’t be able to start running until July 1. Obviously, the Realtors aren’t willing to wait that long.

Farley’s been here two weeks while Howard planed in only last Thursday. No question about their ability and conditioning, said Black. They’re both in excellent shape. The problem is Sta. Lucia hasn’t been able to play a single exhibition game. The Realtors spent last weekend in Subic for a team-building exercise and they’ve been busy trying to jell at practice.

"We wanted Stephen here June 1 but it took a couple of weeks for him to get out of his contract in Puerto Rico," explained Black. "His Puerto Rico team didn’t want to let him go until they found someone as good as he is. Stephen will play center or power forward for us, depending on which spot he’s more comfortable playing with Marlou (Aquino). He’s very strong and difficult to stop inside. As for Farley, he just finished playing in Australia. He’s got a great turnaround shot at the post. He was known as a defensive player in college but he’s become more of an offensive player lately. He’s got quick hands and quick feet and he likes to run."

Sta. Lucia’s frontline of Howard, Aquino, and Farley is potentially awesome. If they can play together as a unit, the Realtors should go far this conference.

Black said blending is a concern and Sta. Lucia’s first game against Purefoods at the Ynares Center this Friday will be a gauge of the Realtors’ chemistry. A positive note is the Realtors are, on the whole, healthy. Chris Tan had to sit out a few practices due to a pinched nerve in his thigh but will be ready to play even if he’s not yet 100 percent. Marvin Ortiguerra, who enjoyed a breakout conference in the Samsung Governors Cup, hurt his back at practice recently but he’s fully recovered and playing with a lot of confidence.

The rest of the gang is raring to go, too. Mendoza, newly-acquired Gherome Ejercito, Gerard Francisco, Omanzie Rodriguez, Richard del Rosario, Francis Adriano, Noynoy Falcasantos, Mike Orquillas, and Chito Victolero are determined to win another title for Sta. Lucia. The Realtors took the Governors Cup crown last season and their first taste of a championship is something they’d like to savor again.

Sta. Lucia failed to make it beyond the first game of the quarters in the last conference and Black’s boys would like nothing better than to improve on that dour finish.

Howard, 31, is a tested performer. In the Commissioner’s Cup two years ago, he led San Miguel Beer to the crown, averaging 24.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.44 steals. Howard saw action for Utah, San Antonio, and Seattle in four National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons.

He was on Utah’s playoff roster when the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls in the 1997 NBA Finals.

Aside from the Philippines, the former DePaul University Academic All-American has played in Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Puerto Rico. So he knows what the international game is all about. Black said Howard’s Filipina wife Javin Mendigorin will join him here soon.

As for Farley, the 6-5 swingman averaged 21.9 points and 11 rebounds at Chaffey junior college in 1996-97. He transferred to Fresno State the next season but left the varsity after averaging 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 27.5 minutes in five starts of six outings. Apparently, Farley thought his playing time would diminish upon the return of teammate Chris Herren, coming off the suspended list for failing a drug test. Farley rejoined coach Jerry Tarkanian’s squad the next year to average 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 28.8 minutes as a reserve. He played a major role in lifting Fresno State to big wins over the likes of Georgia and Temple with key three-point shots. Among his college teammates were future NBA pros Herren, Courtney Alexander, and Tremaine Fowlkes.

Farley, a product of Farragut Academy–the high school that produced Kevin Garnett, was the Aussie league’s No. 2 scorer this past season as he hit at a 24.9 clip in leading the Adelaide 36ers to the championship. He had previously played in France, the United States Basketball League (for the Washington, D.C. Ambassadors) and the International Basketball Association (for the Rochester Skeeters).

Black said Farley brings a lot of energy on the floor.

No wonder the mood is upbeat at the Sta. Lucia camp.