Like Alapag, Menk, Peña also call it quits

While PBA fans look forward to seeing what Mac Belo and fellow rookie Gilas players could offer, Jimmy Alapag, Eric Menk and Dorian Peña will be among the former stars to be missed when the PBA kicks off its 42nd on Nov. 20.

Still up in the air are the fates of Gary David, Chris Lutz, Sam Eman and Josh Urbiztondo with barely 12 days to go before the opening of PBA Season 42 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 20.

Out of that group is Gabe Norwood who finally struck a contract-extension deal with Rain or Shine yesterday, signing a max twoyear pact worth P10.08 million.

Alapag, 38, has retired for good while Menk, 42, and Peña, 39, look headed to the same direction as their respective mother teams have decided not to sign them anymore.

“He’s 42 and has continued to get lighter as he trims down. We feel he’ll now have a hard time coping with the physical battle with tall, young foes,” said Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann of Menk.

If Menk decides to hang his sneakers, Bachmann said he’ll prepare retirement rites for the 2005 MVP winner, most probably during the Alaska-Ginebra game in the coming PBA All-Filipino tourney.

Menk spent most of his 17 PBA seasons with the Gin Kings and, after a brief stint with GlobalPort, played the last two seasons with the Alaska Milk Aces.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’ve been leaning towards retirement since the season ended and that’s probably where it’s headed,” said Menk in The GOAT show on Fox Sports.

Peña may not have a choice but to call it quits after being ditched by GlobalPort.

With a recurring injury, the burly 6-foot-6 Fil-foreign player, a two-time Mythical First Team awardee, hardly saw action with the Batang Pier last season.

He had his best years with San Miguel Beer before becoming a journeyman with tours of duty with Air21, Barako Bull, Ginebra and GlobalPort.

Failing to get a new contract with San Miguel, David, meanwhile, is now considering to sign up with the team being put up by businessman/ sportsman Bong Tan in the Asean Basketball League.

“If he’s not able to suit up with any other PBA team, he’ll join Bong Tan’s team,” said Danny Espiritu, the agent/adviser of David, among the PBA’s prolific scorers in the last few years.

Eman and Urbiztondo have been dropped from the free agent roster by Alaska Milk and Phoenix Petroleum, respectively, while Lutz has remained in limbo due to a back injury.

“He’s (Lutz) is in the US but is communicating with us. He said he’s getting better but (the healing) is slow and frustrating,” said San Miguel top official Robert Non.

Eman, the 6-foot-8 Alaska secondstring center, is also in the US and may not return as Alaska has decided not to re-sign him.

Meanwhile, Nico Salva’s supposed transfer to Meralco from Ginebra has hit a snag with the Gin Kings camp looking for a trade replacement.