Turnaround for Tigers soon?

Coca-Cola has lost two straight one-point games in the Fiesta Conference of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The Tigers’ 3-6 record is deceptive because it could’ve easily been 6-3 with three losses decided by three points or less.

Any other coach would be on the verge of despair or a nervous breakdown. But not Eric Altamirano, a devout Christian who believes that he of little faith will not reap the rewards of patience. He remains optimistic, if not confident, that a reversal of the Tigers’ fortunes is just around the corner.

So far, Coca-Cola has recruited three imports. Jaja Richards–the object of a tug-of-war among several PBA clubs–came with glowing credentials as a 6-10 Virgin Islands national team mainstay for seven years. Alas, Jaja could only cha-cha his way to an 11.5 scoring clip, bringing down the Tigers to a miserable 1-3 start.

Then Bakari Hendrix flew in. The 6-7 forward from Gonzaga University (where John Stockton, Richie Frahm and Bing Crosby studied) was as tough as nails. In his Tigers debut, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the third period but still finished the game on his feet. He wound up with 43 points, including 6-of-6 free throws, and 13 rebounds in a no-relief job but Coca-Cola lost a 109-96 decision to Shell.

Hendrix underwent surgery to repair the damage and thanks to Dr. George Canlas, the operation was successful. He’s now thinking of doing his rehab here. Coca-Cola’s representative to the PBA Board of Governors Hector Calma said the team is taking care of Hendrix’ medical expenses.

With Hendrix sidelined and a replacement not immediately available, the Tigers played importless against Talk ‘N’ Text last April 3. Lo and behold, Coca-Cola won, 102-82, as five locals, led by Ali Peek, scored in twin digits. That’s what you call resiliency.

Darrell Johns of Chicago State suited up for the Tigers against Red Bull and Coca-Cola made it two wins in a row via a 98-86 decision last April 8. Johns is a 7-1 center whose only asset is his size. He has little lateral mobility, limited range, a horrible stroke and poor basketball instincts.

The 75-74 setback to Alaska was a bitter pill to swallow last April 14. Altamirano claimed Alaska’s Jeffrey Cariaso pushed Tigers guard Dale Singson into Johns to clear the lane for Dickey Simpkins to dunk the marginal basket off a Reynel Hugnatan lob in the dying seconds.

Altamirano said he submitted an enlarged video of the sequence to PBA technical manager Perry Martinez to show Johns was deliberately pushed out of the way for Simpkins to get an open shot. He also submitted a video of instances where Coca-Cola appeared to be "prejudiced" in an 86-83 overtime loss to Ginebra.

The one-point loss to FedEx the other day was the latest in a spate of bad luck to hound Coca-Cola. The Tigers had a chance to steal the game when they led, 94-93, from 13 points down with 16 ticks to go and four fouls to give on FedEx possession. Instead of eating up the clock and disrupting FedEx’ flow by giving up fouls, the Tigers allowed Ranidel de Ocampo a clear 15-footer that went in. John Arigo had a chance to pull it out of the fire but missed as time ran out.

Johns left for the US yesterday. He tested positive for marijuana a week ago and was within a 45-day grace period to take a second examination. The word is Mark Sanford, who played for Coca-Cola last year, is arriving tomorrow to take over Johns’ spot. Sanford averaged 28.9 points and 12.6 rebounds for the Tigers in the last Fiesta Conference where Coca-Cola finished fourth.

Altamirano also considered to bring in former Red Bull import Tony Lang who is now resting in the US after playing in Japan. Another option was 40-year-old David Wood who recently played for a missionary team in South Africa with former Houston Rockets guard Dave Jamerson and Alex Compton. Wood said he’s still capable of playing 48 minutes but admitted he may not be quick enough to keep in step with the younger imports.

Altamirano, who led Purefoods to the 1997 All-Filipino title, isn’t giving up hope of a Tigers turnaround. He knows sooner or later, it will come and when it does, the hard road to glory will have been worth it.

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