Dondon Hontiveros, one of the best shooters ever, retires from PBA

MANILA, Philippines – Dondon Hontiveros, among the finest riflemen ever seen in Philippine basketball, is set to retire Wednesday at the end of his 17th PBA season at age 40.

Hontiveros will call it quits after Alaska Milk’s farewell game in the 2016-17 PBA season, ending an illustrious career highlighted by four championships, several tours of duty with the national team and numerous individual citations.

Tony dela Cruz, the Alaska Aces skipper from the 2000-01 campaign, also retired at 39.

The two started bidding teammates farewell in Alaska’s last practice session Tuesday. They’re leaving legacies worthy of emulation and admiration of younger players.

Hontiveros carved a niche as among the league’s top guns, ending a career with 1,137 three-point shots made – fourth in the all-time ladder next to Jimmy Alapag’s 1,250, Allan Caidic’s 1,242 and Ronnie Magsanoc’s 1,171.

Through the 2015-16 season, the Cebuano hotshot had had a career total of 7,598 points – 36th in the all-time scoring list. Before this season, the former University of Cebu stalwart had career averages of 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Hontiveros joined the PBA in 2000 as a prized recruit by the Tanduay Rhum Masters from the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. He moved over to San Miguel in 2002 following Tanduay’s disbandment. He was dealt over to Alaska Milk in 2012.

A gunner and also a tough wing defender, Hontiveros played stellar roles in his stints with Team Philippines in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, 2007 FIBA Asia and 2015 FIBA Asia.

He’s a 13-time PBA All-Star player who topped the All-Star Three-Point Shootout in 2007.