Pingris, Ranidel ink juicy contracts

Jean Marc Pingris and Ranidel de Ocampo became the latest members of the Philippine Basketball Association millionaires’ club as the two young and promising players closed separate deals with FedEx yesterday.

Both got unique deals.

Pingris and De Ocampo, teammates in the RP team that ruled the recent Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, would determine the total number of millions they would get in three years based on their performances in their first two years in the league.

But Pingris is guaranteed P8.5 million and De Ocampo P9.8 million. Bigger amount would come if they meet the performance-based escalation clause in their contract.

For Pingris, the target is to make it to the Magic 30 of the MVP race in the 2004-2005 campaign and the Top 20 in the 2005-2006 season to have his paycheck increased to P225,000 in the second year and the maximum of P350,000 in the third year.

With De Ocampo, the stakes are higher. He needs to be in the Top 15 in his first year and the Top 20 in the second.

Wesley Gonzales, the team’s third draftee, got P6 million in three years plus a Mail & More business venture courtesy of Air21. Aside from this, Gonzales has the option to re-negotiate for a new contract after only 18 months if he plays well with the Express.

"If we take into consideration the various perks that were given to our rookies, halos pantay-pantay din ang kontrata nilang lahat, nagkaiba-iba lang dahil nga sa mga clauses. It now depends sa kanila kung papaano sila magpe-perform," said FedEx team manager Lito Alvarez.

Having completed a 12-man roster, Alvarez said: "We’re now very excited and are looking forward to a grand 2004 season."

The late signings were due to various reasons. Pingris is currently preparing for the PBL Platinum Cup finals where his Welcoat team is to meet Fash Liquid Detergent for the title. De Ocampo, on the other hand, has just finished his stint in the NCRAA finals, steering St. Francis College of Assisi to a sixth straight title.

Meanwhile, Eddie Laure is doubtful starter for Purefoods at the start of the PBA Fiesta Cup as he sustained a strained calf muscle while still attending strenuous practice by Shell under new coach John Moran.

Laure, acquired by Purefoods from Shell on a three-way trade that also involved Billy Mamaril, Dale Singson and a draft pick by San Miguel, has yet to join the Hotdogs in practice.

Reports say Mamaril, Adonis Sta. Maria, Frederick Canlas and Kelani Ferreira have also suffered injuries on Moran’s extra hard training.