A COMEBACK could be in the offing for Dondon Hontiveros via the Cebu Greats in the MPBL.
Head coach Junthy Valenzuela admitted management is now in talks with Hontiveros for a possibly comeback after initially being considered as part of the coaching staff.
Valenzuela said the 48-year-old Hontiveros attended Cebu practice on Wednesday, but not as a player.
“Actually, si Dondon, sabi ni Boss John (Santos, team manager), magiging assistant coach,” said Valenzuela on Wednesday to SPIN.ph where he was part of the audience in Game 4 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup between Rain or Shine and TNT at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Sabi ko, actually, si Dondon, puwede pang maging player natin ‘yan. Fit siya ngayon, laging naglalaro. Sinabi ko rin kay Dondon na puwede ka pa rin naman talaga,” he added.
“Kundisyon siya, nandoon pa rin ‘yung shooting niya. Sabi niya, posibleng maging player natin ‘yan. Kung papayag siya (Hontiveros) sa negosasyon nila, posible. Makakatulong at makakatulong talaga si Dondon," he continued. "Kakausapin na siya at gusto rin namin siya maglaro."
READ: Junthy, Quinahan answer call to restore lost pride for Cebu team
Hontiveros had a 17-year career in the PBA playing for Tanduay, San Miguel, Air21, Petron, and Alaska, with his last playing stint being in 2018 as part of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.
But prior to his PBA career, Hontiveros became a household name with the Metropolitan Basketball Association while playing for the Cebu Gems.
He became a councilor in 2021 of Cebu City, but recently lost in his vice mayoral bid last May.
Incidentally, Hontiveros was also part of the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena for the PBA games.
Valenzuela said Hontiveros’ spot as a player is still uncertain as that will depend on the performance of the team’s guards.
“Kanina, dumating siya as coaching staff. Baka sa susunod, mag-eensayo na ‘yan. Ngayon loaded kami sa guards. Kapag hindi mag-perform ‘yung mga guards, baka pipilitin natin na maglalaro siya,” said Valenzuela, who was at the PBA game together with former Red Bull teammate Celino Cruz to watch Rain or Shine and their former head coach Yeng Guiao.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
