Another P1-M gate for PBA

ZAMBOANGA CITY — When it rains, it pours. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) extended its lucky streak in provincial outings as organizers announced gate receipts of P1.15 Million for the Sta. Lucia Realty versus Coca-Cola game at the Zamboanga City Coliseum here last Thursday.

The PBA also raked in P1 Million gates in recent games in General Santos City and Tacloban.

PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said 5,441 tickets were sold in only the league’s third game held in Zamboanga City in over four years. The first PBA show in the Western Mindanao city was a doubleheader in October 1999 when Shell beat Mobiline, 66-64, and Alaska whipped Sta. Lucia Realty, 82-63. The next was in March 2000 when Purefoods defeated Ginebra, 92-80.

Last Thursday’s sellout was the first-ever PBA game at the air-conditioned coliseum which was packed to the rafters, reestablishing a trend in out-of-town games.

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Former PBA cager Pedro Alfaro, who owns the popular Alavar Seafood Grille and Restaurant, was a gracious host to the Manila visitors here.

Alfaro, 49, starred for Ateneo de Zamboanga and played two seasons for the Gokongwei franchise in the PBA. He was a league pioneer in 1975. Alfaro was only 19 when coach Narciso Bernardo signed him to a three-year pro contract. Among his PBA teammates were Ren-Ren Ritualo’s father Florendo, Arthur Herrera and the Aldanese brothers. Alfaro retired from playing in 1979 when he married his wife Marissa.

Alfaro’s father Leocadio was once governor of Zamboanga del Sur.

Alfaro isn’t the only basketball star to rise from Zamboanga. Others were the late Luis (Moro) Lorenzo — in whose memory the Ateneo gym is named, Whitey de las Penas, Alfonso (Boy) Marquez, Jerry Samlani, Rudy Garcia, Cesar (Boy) Ijares, Noynoy Falcasantos, Arturo (Bai) Cristobal and Jay Mendoza.

Alavar Seafood Grille and Restaurant was inaugurated in the Tetuan district in 1979. Alfaro’s son Marius manages the Alavar eatery on Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

One of Alfaro’s hobbies is collecting rare birds. He has spent over P2 Million to gather over 100 species of birds, including the rare blue-eyed cockatoo. Behind the Alavar restaurant is an aviary where Alfaro displays his collection.

Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua brought home an eagle from Alfaro’s aviary as a remembrance of Zamboanga.

Another gracious host was Lando Navarro, former Coca-Cola district sales supervisor. He took care of the PBA staff. Navarro’s son plays for the national under-17 squad.

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Watching last Thursday’s game at courtside was former Shell and Red Bull forward Jay Mendoza’s father Jesse who used to play hoops in college.

Jesse went up to PBA commissioner Noli Eala at halftime to offer his congratulations for the league’s return to mass popularity this year.

According to Jesse, Jay recently returned from a trip to New York. Jay, the youngest and only boy of five children, is involved in breeding dogs. Jesse said a puppy fetches a market price of P30,000 depending on the breed. Dobermans are a specialty, he added. When he’s not busy with his dogs in the kennels, Jay plays for the touring San Miguel All-Stars with other retired pros.

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Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes said he’s not giving up on import Mark Sanford despite his atrocious 12-point performance in the Tigers’ loss to Sta. Lucia in Zamboanga.

"(Mark) was just really off," noted Reyes. "Playing without Rudy (Hatfield), Johnny (Abarrientos) and Mark was just too much to overcome. We’ll see how Mark comes back from his worst game ever."

Hatfield has not played a game this year and may be activated for the playoffs. Abarrientos sprained an ankle at practice and played sparingly against the Realtors. He didn’t score a point in limited minutes. As for Sanford, he was yanked in and out of the court because of foul trouble, dehydration and listlessness.

Reyes said Hatfield’s absence has allowed Reynel Hugnatan to display his wares. Hugnatan, once a Finals MVP in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, has blossomed into the Tigers’ primary import defender.

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PBA chairman and Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado flew to Zamboanga City to witness the Realtors’ conquest of Coca-Cola. It was Sta. Lucia’s second straight win and third overall.

Rebounding from a 0-5 start, the Realtors are now only a win away from vaulting to No. 6 in the standings. They’re 3-2 in their last five games.

Encarnado said it wasn’t easy beating the Tigers considering Sta. Lucia’s hobbling cast. Kenneth Duremdes has missed nine of 10 games because of recurring pain in his calf. Dr. George Canlas, who’s supervising Duremdes’ rehabilitation, will evaluate his progress this week. Paolo Mendoza is playing hurt with a busted toenail. Chito Victolero is also in pain. Chris Tan hasn’t even played this year.

Encarnado lauded the efforts of his troops in rising from adversity. He cited rookie guard Mac Cuan’s emergence, Gerard Francisco’s all-court presence and of course, the leadership of the Twin Towers—Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino.

Against Coca-Cola, import Derrick Brown failed to score in the final quarter but Aquino took over with 11 of his 19 points in the fourth period and Espino took care of the rest.

Incidentally, Brown flew in a "bodyguard" to accompany him in Zamboanga City. He wasn’t sure about the peace and order situation but was reassured during his visit. Sanford was also concerned about his safety and stayed locked up in his hotel room during an optional shootaround in the gym. Both imports later realized there really wasn’t anything to worry about.