MANILA, Philippines – Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros can still shoot the lights out anywhere, anytime and for any team. Cebuano Hotshot gets a new lease on life at PBA stardom
Hontiveros showcased this last night when he played his first game for the Air21 Express, practically carrying the whole team in the first and second period of Air21’ game against the mighty Talk ‘N Text squad.
Unfortunately, Dondon went cold in the second half and the Express failed to match the Texter’s artillery and succumbed to a 124-110 defeat in the scheduled PBA out-of-town game held at the Holy Cross of Davao College Gym in Davao City.
Playing in his first game under a new team, one would expect Hontiveros to struggle just like his comrades in the celebrated Air21-SMB trade which saw him, Danny Seigle, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi join the Air21 franchise in exchange for Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
But to the delight of the PBA fans in Davao City, Hontiveros put on a show as his team tried to battle the Texters tooth and nail in the first half. Hontiveros actually started for Air21 along with “Big Dawg” Dorian Pena.
Dondon showed that he has a whole lot left in his arsenal. At only 33 (Dondon turns 34 on June 1), Dondon is far from being washed up. And last night he showed why.
If Hontiveros can deliver such a performance, Air21 and Hontiveros fans have an inkling of what to expect in the next games that lie ahead.
Scoring 21 points in the first half alone was very impressive, considering it was your only first game in a new uniform. The highlight of that scoring outburst was when he nailed a buzzer-beating basket at the end of the first period.
As expected, Hontiveros along with Seigle, Pena and Artadi are prime additions that have made Air21 a whole lot stronger. A glimpse of the future was perhaps shown in that PBA out of town game although the unfamiliarity and erratic plays showed that the team has a long way to go.
Hontiveros, soft-spoken and all, had only kind words for the San Miguel Beermen. He understood that it was a business decision and took the lead in explaining to Seigle, Pena and Artadi that Air21 is their new home and they have new goals to achieve.
Among them include possibly a PBA title which the four are pretty much experienced in when they played for San Miguel. Artadi savored it when he was still with Purefoods (B-Meg).
Finally, this may be perhaps the "Cebuano hotshot’s" change to be recognized as a team franchise player. He never had the privilege when he played with Tanduay Rhum and San Miguel.
During his Tanduay stint, he played under the shadows of now-Ginebra center Eric Menk while over at San Miguel, we all know that the roster is full of PBA superstars which make it hard to actually single out a franchise player in the roster.
Hontiveros, Seigle, Pena and Artadi have something to look forward to with Air21. Aside from a new challenge, they don’t have to worry about their minutes.
Unlike in the SMB camp, they had to fight for their minutes. Now at Air21, they are considered the valuable core of the team and can be the team’s first five if given the chance.
And once they hum, you can just imagine the results that will be returned, something we have already seen when they were with San Miguel but for limited minutes during an actual PBA game.
cIt will just be a matter of time before the four new veteran recruits jell with the team and help the Express become a team to reckon with. (MB)
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