At least three Fil-Ams are expected to hit town in the coming months, looking for playing credits to gain eligibility for the next PBA draft.
Sports agent Caloy Allado said the other day he’s awaiting the outcome of talks involving a possible merger between the PBL and Liga Pilipinas before waving the green flag for the Fil-Ams to fly in.
The three are 6-1 Shawn Weinstein of San Diego State, 6-3 John Smith of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and 6-4 Anthony Lao of Fraser Valley.
Allado was in the process of bringing in Lao but negotiations were derailed when other agents got into the picture. But he said Weinstein and Smith will be ready to come as soon as they finish their commitments in other leagues.
Weinstein played briefly for San Diego State, an NCAA Division I school, then moved to St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, where he saw action in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. As a senior at Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills, California, Weinstein averaged 28.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.1 steals.
Weinstein, 24, is now playing in the Israel league. His father is Jewish and mother, a Filipina.
Smith played for the same Hawaii school that produced Alex Cabagnot. Last season, he averaged 16.3 points and 3.1 assists in claiming first team All-Pacific West honors. Smith, whose mother is Filipina, is now playing for Lokomotiv Bernau in the German league.
Lokomotiv coach Torsten Schierenbach said, “We looked at a lot of players and in the end, John offered the best overall package for us – he’s a good shooter, he can defend and he has a great personality.”
In February last year, Smith hit a buzzer-beating triple and finished with 24 points to lift Hawaii to an 80-78 squeaker over Chaminade University at the Hilo gym. With 20 seconds left and Chaminade up by one, Smith took the inbounds pass, drove to the top of the key and let loose a triple for the game winner.
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Lao played two years for Fraser Valley in the Canadian collegiate league, averaging 10.2 points in 2006-07 and 7.7 points in 2007-08. Coach Laurian Watkins said the goal is for Lao to play in the PBL then apply for the PBA draft in August. Former PBA cager Jon Ordonio, who works for Watkins as a scout, is pushing for Lao to make it here.
“I know Anthony will take the PBL and the PBA by storm,” said Ordonio. “There is footage on him in the internet. I know his name will get out there but I’m looking for a team to take him.”
Allado said he initially contacted Lao on the possibility of playing here.
“I told Anthony he wouldn’t get a big salary playing in the PBL and he’d have to pay his own way to Manila but once he makes it to a team, I’ll work on his reimbursement,” said Allado. “When he breaks into the PBA, that’s the time he can start earning a big salary. It’s up to him. Jon called me up about him and I tried calling him back but he’s not picking up. I hope for Anthony’s sake, he’ll come around. I think he’ll be good for the PBA.”
As for Allado’s son Drew, he said the dream to follow in his big brother Don’s footsteps won’t come true after all.
“Drew played four years in college, never dropped a subject, never flunked and got a 3.7 grade point average,” said Allado. “His goal is to become a lawyer. At first, he thought of playing basketball to make some money for law school. He applied for the PBL draft. He would’ve played for Magnolia but the team decided not to play this conference. Right now, Drew is enjoying his stay in Manila, doing DJ and modelling work. He’s a 6-1 guard and to make it to the PBA, he’s got to be exceptional to beat other guys his size. He’s realistic and he’s got a head on his shoulders. In a few months, he’ll go back to LA and enroll in law school.”
Allado’s son Don, meanwhile, just returned from LA where he consulted with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Lombardo on the nagging pain in his knee.
“No surgery is required for the moment,” said Allado. “Don will take some shots to numb the pain. His condition is similar to Amare Stoudemire’s problem. It’s wear and tear in the knee. He might decide to undergo surgery in one or two years then do three months of rehab. But that’s not his plan. Don wants to play on and contribute.”
Allado, 32, played on two Alaska championship teams and would’ve been on Talk ‘N’ Text’s Philippine Cup title squad last season if not for a late trade towards the end of the eliminations. He’s been a pro since 1999. A tested winner, Allado was with Purefoods when the Tender Juicy Giants bagged the Philippine Cup trophy last conference.
“Don’s contract with Purefoods expires in July,” said Allado who represents his son as agent. “I think he can play at a high level for at least three more years. We’re hoping to renew his contract.”
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Allado said Don, married to actress Maricar de Mesa, is looking into business opportunities to prepare for life after basketball.
“He has two billboard spaces which he manages along Katipunan Road,” said Allado. “In the long term, he’s thinking about a poultry business. He thought of that even before joining Purefoods. And now that his team is B-Meg, it’s like a sign of pushing through with his plans. He’s thinking of using a big property owned by Maricar’s family in San Pablo and turning it into a chicken farm. I think when the time comes, he’ll be ready to go full-time into it and stay in San Pablo.”
Allado, a former University of the Philippines varsity cager, is also the agent of Alaska’s Tony de la Cruz and Smart Gilas’ Marcio Lassiter.
“Marcio enjoys playing with the national team but eventually, he’ll go to the PBA,” said Allado. “He’s a legitimate Division I player from California at Fullerton. His body is right for the PBA. He’s tough and a solid all-around player. During a Smart exhibition in Cebu, Marcio had a triple double. He’s learning a lot from coach Rajko Toroman. Marcio got roughed up in Cebu and took a lot of hard fouls. He came back with bruises on his neck, arms and body. But he knows it’s all part of the game.”
As for De la Cruz, Allado said the 31-year-old guard-forward from the University of California at Irvine will finish his playing career with Alaska.
“Tony’s in great shape and I think he’s got several more years left in the PBA,” said Allado. “He’s in his fifth year with Alaska and he’s comfortable playing within coach Tim Cone’s system. He understands the triangle. He’s a perfect fit for Alaska and I see him retiring from that team.”
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