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Saturday, February 15, 2003
11 Questions with Dondon Hontiveros
By Christian Ben Rodriguez
Dondon Hontiveros first made a name for himself with the Cebu Gems in the Metropolitan Basketball Association to become one of the league’s first superstars. There was some controversy when he decided to leave the MBA for the Philippine Basketball Association with some time left on his contract with the Gems. After some team changes, Hontiveros found himself with the San Miguel Beer team. During time off from the PBA, Hontiveros went home to Cebu City and talked to Sun.Star.
Sun.Star: How is San Miguel Beer as a team?
Hontiveros: It is a very well-organized team. I feel that this is the team for me, and in the first place, they were the first ones who showed interest in me. The players are all friendly, no superstar attitude and the coaching staff and management treat us like family.
What are the main differences between the PBA and the MBA?
“For me the PBA is more competitive in terms of the teams. Unlike in the MBA we’d know if the team is weak but in the PBA the teams are really balanced in talents and it boils down to the coach and the teams’ performance on the court.
Do you think the Cebu Gems would have become champions if you had stayed with the team?
I really can’t say because when I joined in the MBA it was only my second year in playing professional basketball. I knew I was not that mature as a player and only a few of the MBA players who just came to the professional league could manage such a task of leading the team to a title.
Mat Mitchell was there and I was there but there was also (Romel) Adducul and (Alex) Compton on the other team, so it is really hard for me to say but I know I could make a difference.”
Are you comfortable in the off guard/shooting guard position? Would you rather be the point guard?
I’d really prefer the 2-guard position and a switching to point is also okay.
How is it like living in Manila? Would you prefer staying in Cebu?
I have my work here but I have to adjust and of course nothing beats home sweet home.
We heard you are getting married. Who is the lucky girl?
We’re still making plans and she still has her singing career to attend to and I am still saving up because I have to see that our family must be secure in life. I hope it will be soon.
My girlfriend’s name is Gail Blanco and our kid’s name is Isiah and he is one-year-old.
We saw how emotional your were when you lost to South Korea in the Asian Games semifinals. What was going on in your mind after the game?
I was just sad knowing that we had a whole year to prepare for the Korean team. We knew that they were the only threat for us reaching the finals and we knew we could beat them.
I can’t say I was frustrated because we did everything we practiced but I am just disappointed with the loss and the ball just went into their hands and luck was really on their side.
You said you plan to put up clinics and organize tournaments in Cebu. How did you come up with the idea?
I just want to help the kids here in Cebu and make a contribution to the community by promoting basketball programs that can help get kids into basketball rather than drugs.
If you had not become a professional basketball player, what line of work would you have been in?
I think I would be an electrical engineer and take up a vocational degree with Tesda and still play basketball.
When you retire from basketball what do you see yourself doing?
I will become a businessman, maybe the retail business and still connected with San Miguel.
What are your future plans besides basketball?
Just enjoy retirement and maybe venture into coaching or training children. –
(February 15, 2003 issue)
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