Hontiveros still open to playing in the PBA

The Cebuano hotshot, Dondon Hontiveros

THE CURTAINS may have closed on Dondon Hontiveros’ storied career with the Alaska Aces but the Cebuano hotshot believes he has plenty more left in the tank to take on another tour of duty with another team.

The 40-year-old Hontiveros played his final game for Alaska on Wednesday, an 82-112 loss to Rain or Shine. And while his final numbers – two points on 1-of-8 shooting – don’t necessarily reflect the spryness he feels, Hontiveros admitted he is more than willing to suit up, if a team gives him a look.

“I feel good physically. If there’s a 40-above league, I will surely stand out,” said the affable sniper with a smile. “But was that my last PBA game? I will leave it up to my agent if there will be other opportunities.”

Hontiveros has had a storied career in his 17 years in the PBA. He is a three-time champion (two with San Miguel Beer and one with Alaska), 13-time All Star, an All Star Three-Point Shootout champion in 2007, Mythical Five Second Team member and a Sportsmanship Awardee.

While there were plenty of highlights that could possibly define Hontiveros’ 20-year professional career, he admitted it was his stint with the Gilas Pilipinas back in 2015 that he enjoyed the most. That particular iteration of the national team made it all the way to the finals of the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship but ultimately fell to hosts China.

“I’ve had highs like winning the championship and playing for the national team where we had the chance to make it to Rio with that finals game against China,” relayed Hontiveros.

With the highlights came setbacks, none of which hurt Hontiveros more than the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) he suffered that limited him to a mere nine games during the 2011-2012 PBA season.

“The lowest point would be that ACL injury I had when I came back to Petron because I was excited considering I had an awesome Gilas campaign.”

No matter what the future holds for Hontiveros, there is no denying the imprint he’s left in Philippine basketball. More than anything, Hontiveros hopes to be remembered as someone who helped the team and his teammates become better.

“That’s the influence Jeff (Cariaso) and Olsen (Racela) had in me. And I hope I made that kind of impact to my former teammates.”