Dondon Hontiveros would have considered retiring if Alaska won PBA title

MANILA, Philippines – Had the Alaska Aces won the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup title, Dondon Hontiveros would’ve been ready for his curtain call.

Instead, the Alaska Aces blew a 0-3 series lead and lost the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup title to the San Miguel Beermen in Game 7 on Wednesday, February 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“I was thinking of retiring if nanalo kami ngayon eh (we won). I was really thinking of retiring…,” the 39-year-old Cebu City native said after Game 7. 

“Hindi nangyari, pero ayun nga (It didn’t happen, but), still have two conferences to work on it, make it special.”

When asked if the 18-year basketball veteran would think about calling it a career by the end of this PBA season, he admitted it’s on his mind.

“Emotionally, I would say that, after the end of the season,” Hontiveros answered, when asked if the plan for now is to call it quits after the Governors’ Cup conference.

“But who knows? I have two conferences. I’ll give it my best shot,” said the 38-year-old, who added that he feels it’s unfair some of Alaska’s younger players won’t get opportunities to shine if he’s still playing.

“Emotionally, I would say right now I’m thinking of retiring at the end, pero (but) who knows if kaya pa nang katawan mo. And I would say unfair din sa mga teammates ko na hindi ko bigyan nang chance,” elaborated Hontiveros, a former PBA Mythical Second Team selection.

(Emotionally, I would say right now I’m thinking of retiring at the end, but who knows if my body can still take it. I would also say it’s unfair to my teammates who don’t get chances.)

Presently, the sharpshooting Hontiveros has career averages of 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds a game plus 35% shooting from downtown, according to pba-online.net.

“Maganda sana kung nanalo para masarap yung retirement, pero right now, sabi ko, I have two conferences to really work on it,” said Hontiveros, who actually played for San Miguel from 2002-2011.

(It would have been nice to win so that retiring would have been special, but right now, I say I have two conferences to really work on it.) 

The Gilas Pilipinas swingman also admitted that, “Emotionally, I’m drained.” But with regards to the next two conferences, he plans to “make it special.” – Rappler.com