Patrimonio, Duremdes, Aquino lead PBA legends vs Dubai

DUBAI – Kenneth Duremdes shot the lights out of the Al-Shabab Club basketball stadium, scoring 40 points to bail out a selection of PBA legends 109-105 against a selection of Dubai-based Filipino expatriates on Friday night.

The legends, who fell behind by as much as eight points in the first half, banked on the troika of Duremdes, Vince Hizon and Marlou Aquino in mounting an 11-0 run at the start of the third period to snatch the lead for good.

Aquino took advantage of his 6-foot-9 frame and produced 20 points, mostly from inside, and controlled the boards to contain the scrappy hosts that included former PBA player Ruben dela Rosa and others who saw action in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball League (MBA).

Duremdes and Aquino led a star-studded legends squad that also included Alvin Patrimonio, Ato Agustin, Jojo Lastimosa, Vince Hizon, Noli Locsin, Bonel Balingit, and Bobby Jose.

“Kung laro lang, kaya pa naman natin kaso nauubos tayo sa [daily] practice,” Duremdes, the 1998 PBA MVP who retired in 2008, told InterAKTV.

InterAKTV/Alfonso Ramirez
Earlier, the Philippine Expat Basketball Conference (PEBC), which organized the weekend visit of the PBA legends, “retired” the number 7 in honor of Philippine basketball’s living legend, Robert Jaworski.



“Mr. Senator, we are officially retiring jersey number 7 which means no one will be allowed to use your legendary number in PEBC-sanctioned tournaments here in Dubai,” Gerry Martinez of the PEBC said during the programme that preceeded the exhibition game.

In response, Jaworski – whose jersey was retired by the PBA exactly two months ago – thanked the organizers and said: “OK lang na gamitin ninyo ang number 7 basta sa kabutihan.”

The scores:

PBA Legends 109 – Kenneth Duremdes 40; Marlou Aquino 20; Alvin Patrimonio 13; Vince Hizon 12; Noli Locsin 11; Jojo Lastimosa 6; Bonel Balingit 4; Bobby Jose 3

Dubai All Stars 105 – Nonoy Sayon 16; Al Federiso 15; Jayson Araneta 14; Khalifa Salem 10; Ruben dela Rosa 10; Archie Cruz 8; Lito Callueng 6; Alex Miclat 5; Jeff Roque 5; Alfie Gesta 4; Alwyn Flores 4; DJ de Jesus 4; Roel Hugnatan 2; JR Go 2

-Alfonso Ramirez, special to InterAKTV

Alvin Patrimonio , Kenneth Duremdes , PBA , PBA legends , Robert Jaworski

The Best Trades in Alaska History

Last Friday, the Alaska Aces completed a trade that sent LA Tenorio, the man who had been the face of the franchise, to Ginebra San Miguel, in a five-team deal that netted them JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. It was a risky trade, to be sure; Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo called it a “leap of faith.”

But the Aces franchise is no stranger to making bold, risky moves that involve big names. For example, in 1992, the team sent reigning Rookie of the Year Eugene Quilban to 7-Up in exchange for backup point guard Jun Reyes.

In 2001, Alaska traded Johnny Abarrientos, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, along with Poch Juinio to Pop Cola for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio. Two years later, the squad completed a draft-day deal that sent another former Most Valuable Player, Kenneth Duremdes, to Sta. Lucia for the fifth overall pick, which the Aces used on Brandon Cablay.

But more often than not Alaska comes out on the winning end of big trades. In this latest installment of The List, we count down the best trades — or as we like to call them, the Wacky Moves, in honor of longtime Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo — in the history of the Aces franchise.

10. Acquired Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan from Purefoods for Cris Bolado (1997)
After winning the Grand Slam in 1996, members of Alaska were hot commodities around the league. Jeffrey Cariaso signed an offer sheet with the rebuilding Mobiline squad, while bench players also received interest from other teams.

Backup center Cris Bolado was coveted by Purefoods, and the two teams agreed on a deal that sent Jumbo to the Corned Beef Cowboys in exchange for Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan.

While Bolado helped Purefoods to the 1997 All-Filipino Conference title, where he cemented his lucky charm reputation, Santos ended up as a valuable contributor for Alaska in the long run, backing up both guard positions and helping make up for the absence of Cariaso until the arrival of Kenneth Duremdes later in the season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Alaska Aces , Bong Hawkins , Cyrus Baguio , Don Allado , Jeffrey Cariaso , Joe devance , Kenneth Duremdes , LA Tenorio , Larry Fonacier , Mike Cortez , PBA , Rodney Santos , The List , Willie Miller