Danny Espiritu was the happiest when Calvin Abueva signed a three-year contract extension with Magnolia in the Philippine Basketball Association.
It was a mission accomplished.
The 76-year-old Espiritu is one of the country’s premier basketball powerbrokers. He is responsible for sealing deals — and building careers — of countless PBA players, including superstars Scottie Thompson, Jio Jalalon, Jeron Teng, Beau Belga, and, yes, Abueva.
With Abueva, Espiritu’s resolve in contract negotiation was greatly tested due to the 35-year-old forward’s history of clashing heads with opposing players, coaches and, sometimes, fans.
In fact, sideliners believe that Abueva’s three-year deal is a major gamble as health and personal issues have hounded Abueva in the past couple of years. Also, the power forward branded as “The Beast” is no longer getting any younger as he would be 38 years old during the final year of his contract.
Still, Espiritu made it happen as the trust and confidence of the Hotshots, especially team manager Alvin Patrimonio, in him and his client were solid.
“It’s more of being a friend or a father to them. You can’t be too professional and you have to be close to the players. You can’t force them into making deals or else, they will leave you,” Espiritu said on the day he helped Abueva ink a fresh contract.
“The player has to see that you are working to help him in his career and not just constantly asking for commissions. I am a father figure to my players and a good friend to them.”
Espiritu’s track record speaks for itself.
In a career that spanned for more than three decades, Espiritu was able to represent around 300 players. Giants of the league like Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abarrientos and Bong Alvarez were part of his impressive list of clients.
At one point, he was able to negotiate a mouthwatering deal for Duremdes in 2001.
Initially, Mobiline, which is now TNT Tropang Giga, offered a seven-year, P42-million deal for Duremdes. When Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu expressed his intention to match the offer, the Phone Pals raised the amount to P48 million spread over eight years.
Included in the package was the maximum P500,000 monthly salary on top of the P50,000 won game bonus in the eliminations, P60,000 in the semifinals and P70,000 in the finals. There was also an insane amount of performance bonus of P1 million if Duremdes wins a Most Valuable Player award and a sports utility vehicle, or its cash equivalent, should he emerge as Player of the Conference.
The Aces matched the offer and traded Duremdes to Sta. Lucia Realty after two seasons before moving to Coca-Cola at the tail end of the record deal.
But Espiritu said it’s not just about the money.
“You have to remember, the player you handle is the boss,” Espiritu said, adding that taking care of the athletes and the future of their respective families is his ultimate priority.
“Look for potential clients in college. If you are going to sign them, make sure you will take care of them because if you neglect them, it will hurt them.”
Espiritu refused to divulge details of Abueva’s contract.
The fact that he was able to clinch a new contract is already a victory.
