Some hang up their jerseys way earlier than planned. Others play in smaller leagues while waiting to get calls from player agents or Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams.
Al Vergara Photo from Singapore Slingers website
Vergara has been with the Singapore Slingers since 2009. Adriano, on the other hand, was among ex-pros who jumped at the chance to display their wares and earn green bucks as "imports" for teams in the 1st ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).
"Wala namang pinagkaiba sa style [of play] dito (There's no difference in playing styles between here and there)," said Vergara, who had a brief stint with Purefoods in the PBA between his first and second contracts with the Singapore-based Slingers.
Vergara, just like all the other Filipinos suiting up for foreign teams in the ABL, feels he's hitting two birds with one stone by playing basketball abroad.
"Maganda rin ang bayad at ang mahalaga ay ang exposure o playing time na nakukuha ko na hindi ko makukuha sa atin (The pay is great and I also get to have the much-needed exposure and playing time that I won't get in the Philippines)," said Vergara, who played at least 30 minutes in 13 of the team’s 18 games and averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the ABL’s maiden tournament.
Adriano readily concurs, saying he himself has got a new lease on his basketball life with the Brunei Barracudas. The thing is, he has to endure being away with his family for so long as the regional cage league features a home-and-away format.
“Hindi ako sanay na malayo ng ganito sa pamilya ko. Pero inisip ko na rin ang magagawang tulong sa akin kung tanggapin ko ang offer. Alam ko na rin na matagal ang playing time dito kasi kami ang aasahan," said Adriano, who has two other Pinoy teammates at the Barracudas roster, Don Camaso and Leo Avenido.
("I'm not used to being away from my family. But I thought about how much it would help me to accept the offer. I know that I'll get more playing time here since they'll depend on us.")
Francis Adriano Photo from Brunei Barracudas Facebook Fan Page
Adriano, who was relegated to playing pickup games for a year and a half after getting his walking papers from Barako Bull in the PBA three years ago, cited another benefit – getting to visit various ASEAN cities.
Aside from the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei, the ABL also has teams based in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, each hosting the other squads.
It’s not only the veterans who have chosen to become "imports."
Fresh graduate Rudy Lingganay accepted the offer to play for the Kuala Lumpur Dragons so he could put in time on the hardcourt. That proved to be a good decision for the 5'7" guard from the University of the East, as he is considered one of the key players for the team.
"I really did not expect it to turn this way. When I first arrived here, there was communication problem because the coaches are Chinese coaches. But slowly I adjusted to their system," said Lingganay who scored 13 points in the Dragons’ losing semifinal stint with eventual champion Philippine Patriots last month.
Other Filipinos strutting their stuff for foreign teams are Roel Hugnatan and Fhadzmir Bandaying of KL Dragons and Glen Bolocon, Axel Doruelo and Ricky Ricafuente of Thailand Tigers.
Like Vergara, Adriano and Lingganay, they, too have found their places away from home, proving to be assets to their respective teams.
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