CHICAGO - Chronicling the exploits of the Strong Group Athletics (SGA) basketball team during the Dubai tournament last January allowed me to watch Jordan Heading showcase his full arsenal.
The Fil-Australian is a feast for the eyes. He's got good handles, can direct plays the way Magellan would read a map, and he shoots the 3 with dangerous ease.
After starring at California Baptist University where he finished his college career at No.1 in three-pointers made (231) and No.8 in all-time scoring (1,487), Heading already has an extensive international portfolio.
READ Heading impresses at Jones Cup - and hopes Cone's watching
Although he did well in Taiwan and at the NBL1, the former Gilas standout played his best in the Japan B2 League where he recorded personal bests of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists while playing for Nagasaki in 2022.
Currently mulling overseas offers, including a $21,000 a month standing offer from a B.League team, Heading would love to play in the PBA to honor his Filipino heritage.
A GEM ON AND OFF THE COURT.
"He is really good. PBA star 100 percent," coach Charles Tiu said, should Heading make the leap.
Tiu is the head coach of both SGA and the College of St. Benilde which he took to the NCAA finals in 2022 after a 20-year drought.
"He's a great man. Love that guy. Would take him on any team I have any day," added Tiu, who was recently appointed as an assistant coach with Converge following SGA's triumphant 43rd Jones Cup campaign.
Just to be clear, though, the FiberXers are not in talks to sign Heading. In fact, no team can talk to Heading because his PBA rights are owned by Terrafirma Dyip, who picked him No. 1 in the 2020 special draft.
Given that Heading is just approaching his prime at age 28, you'd think the Dyip would pounce and add a proven talent to a roster that lost six players from last conference's playoffs run.
CURIOUSLY, THE DYIP ARE JUST IDLING.
"I haven't had conversations with Terrafirma, actually. They haven't reached out with an offer sheet. I'm not sure what their plans are," Heading told me via text message on Friday.
After losing ace point guard Stephen Holt to Ginebra in a terribly one-sided pre-draft trade last July 13, you'd think Terrafirma would pluck an asset at their disposal, sign him or at least flip him for pieces they feel could help their cause.
The worst thing Terrafirma could do is sit still and do nothing. Which is exactly what's playing out.
This is why I'll never again use the team's perennial losses and dismal records as a referendum of the coaching abilities of coach Johnedel Cardel.
I'd like to believe that Cardel is decently equipped to do the job. Unfortunately, he works for an inept organization that does not put him in the best position to win.
No wonder the Dyip are always in a race to the bottom of the standings alongside Blackwater.
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