From Beermen to Express: How are they now?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
JOSEF T. RAMOS
ALMOST two weeks have gone by after debuting with their new team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), new look Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi have seemingly found a “new home.”
The four former Beermen last March 2 were dealt to the Express in exchange of 1-2-3 pick 6’6 Nonoy Baclao, 6’7 Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra to give a youthful transformation to the aging San Miguel Beer line-up.
Air21, on the other hand, received a bunch of guys who have high championship experiences that could bring the Bert Lina franchise to its first ever championship which it never tasted yet since entering the league in 2002.
“They (Hontiveros, Pena, Artadi and Seigle) are really big names and well accomplished players in the PBA. These are the things that can give balance to our line-up. It will take time to adjust although the team becomes balance,” said Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio.
“We’re hoping the return of Seigle will be healthy, the shooting of Hontiveros and the hustle of Artadi and Penaare very important,” said Gregorio.
Although they are now playing with their new teams, the four veterans described they are like ‘bunch of rookies’ now. They said playing with Air21 is very challenging since the team is hungry winning a championship.
“I played with Tanduay Masters together with Wynnie Arboleda in 2000 and it’s really amazing we’re both reunited,” said Hontiveros, admitting that he can’t even believed that he is playing now with a different team until it became real.
Hontiveros, in fact, scored 24 points in his debut for Air21 in a loss against Talk ‘N Text.
“It's another chapter in our careers. It's an opportunity for us for to show na we're still capable of helping any team,” said Hontiveros.
Seigle, who became a star player for San Miguel Beer since he was a rookie in 1998, said: “The first thing I thought about was how much I'll miss those guys from San Miguel Beer.”
Pena, who laughed when asked about his condition after experiencing to play with a running team, said “I still have the legs don’t worry and I can play. In San Miguel Beer, we have a system to follow. Right now, I’m adjusting and I like it very much. I miss my former team of course.”
The youngest player among the four is the former University of the East playmake Paul Artadi who is now in his fourth team in the last four years.
Drafted 11th overall by Purefoods in 2004 together with James Yap who was picked at third, Artadi was a one-dimensional point guard who relied heavily on his quickness alone.
Since he moved to other team - - Ginebra – before returning to Purefoods after one season, Artadi improved well his shooting touch particularly at the stripes.
He went to San Miguel Beer last off season in a deal that sent Jonas Villanueva to B-Meg Derby Ace.
“I do not see any problems here because there is no pressure and I’m hoping I can contribute well to Air21,” he said. |
Johann Heinrich Lambert G. Ramos serves as President of Linaheim Corporate Services, Inc., which is a proud member of the Lina Group of Companies. He was appointed President last January 2010...
IF THERE is a businessman whose passion for sports and business are incomparable and impressive, Alberto "Bert" Lina has delivered successful results to basketball, cycling and different businesses throughout the years...
