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HOMEArigo, Arigo
by James Ty III
The Triangle Offense
Sophomore Year
As one of the Alaska Milk's
top players, John Arigo has been one of the main architects behind the team's rebuilding program in the new millenium
following a checkered decade where it won nine titles, including a Grand Slam in 1996. Ever since he was drafted
number four overall by the Aces in 2001, the 6'4" guard from Charleston, South Carolina has emerged as one of coach Tim Cone's
most valuable assets in the Alaska fold, playing both guard spots well under the triangle offense.
John, who credits most of his Filipino blood to his father Manny (who hails from Kawit, Cavite), played four years of college
ball at the University of Tampa, a division II school in Florida (where he finished a Bachelor's Degree in Political
Science), before arriving here to enlist in the PBA draft. He joined the Aces at a time when the team had just released some of
its key veterans to other teams like Johnny Abarientos, Edward Juinio and Bong Hawkins.
And considering the trio's role in making Alaska a powerhouse squad in the last decade, it was tough for John to fit into the
team in the beginning since he was playing behind Kenneth Duremdes, the team's skipper, the Aces' rotation.
"My first year with Alaska was transition period for me as a player," John recalls to S. "I really had to learn
how to adjust myself from the college game to the proffesional game and being around a new set of players. It was too bad I didn't
get the chance to play with the veteran players who were released before Alaska got me since I was excited about playing with them
and learning a lot of things from them. But Kenneth was like a big brother to me because he taught me a lot of things about the pro
game, aside from helping enhance my leadership qualities."
John also admits that learning the triangle offense under coach Cone was difficult for him at the start considering how complex
the system is being used by coach Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and later, the Los Angeles Lakers.
As part of the learning process, John had to study game tapes of the Bulls and the Lakers, as well as the way Michael Jordan
handled the ball under the triangle even if he wasn't a true-blue point guard.
The triangle offense is very complex," John notes, "Here, we read the plays and how we react to every situation that happens on the
court. There are ways to counter it and we have many different options, like reading the defense and using more motion. The good thing
about the triangle is that we have no pure point guards and all of us alternate in bringing the ball up court. My role under the triangle
is to get the other guys to their spots in the triangle and try to create a lot of situations while also leading the fastbreak."
In his rookie year with Alaska, John finished second to Ginebra's Mark Caguioa in the Rookie of the Year race, aside from
leading the Aces to one third place finish and two quarterfinal appearances. In addition, he competed in the slam dunk contest in the
PBA All-Star Game while also playing for the RSJ team in the mid-season classic.
So far in his sophomore year, John is making great strides in his game. He was one of the main architects in Alaska's runner-up finish
behind Purefoods in the Governor's Cup last May, starting at point guard in the absence of Duremdes, who is with the RP team playing in the
Asian Games. Although there were times when he was benched by coach Cone, John says that his confidence level improved greatly because of his
team's bridesmaid finish in the first conference.
"Right now, I can say that I'm at a comfort level," John smiles."Learning the triangle is easy for me now and I'm slowly taking over the
leadership role in the team. It's a challenge coach Tim wants me to take up and now, Im' passing on my leadership skills to the new guys we have
in the team, especially in helping out in the new plays we have designed and making them jell with the veterans. Our runner-up finish in the first
conference was a great experience for all of us and we'll have plenty of opportunities in the future since we are still a young team. There were
times when i fell out of rhythm in the team and in the offense, which is why coach Tim had to make that sacrifice by benching me and I accepted it
since it was also a sacrifice on my part. I needed a lesson on how to be a leader and to step up on my maturity level."
A LA-REGGIE MILLER
Many fans couldn't help but compare John to Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller because of their identical physiques, as well as their shooting
styles. And John doesn't hide the fact that the comparisons can be filled with a lot of pressures at times.
"I think people are now slowly recognizing that i have my own identity as a player. But the comparisons will always be there sine Reggie and I
are both pure shooters. As long as the fans know what kind of game I play, that's all that matters to me. It all comes down to studying the game film
of the players I idolize and I also use pieces of other NBA players' style where I get to decipher the advantages and disadvantages."
As far as the future is concerened, John sure has got a good head on his shoulders. In fact, he proudly told S that he is to get
married at the end of the year and hopefully, he plans to settle here for good with his wife, kids and his father, who currently lives with him in
a condo unit in Pasig. He also plans to pursue a masters' degree if he has time or put up his own business. But more importantly, he wants to give
himself 20 years as a player, a longetivity record held by former Ginebra coach-turned-Senator Robert Jaworski.
I've had no regrets over coming to the Philippines and playing here. I felt that playing four years of college ball in the States was enough for me
to gain experience in playing in the big leagues. There is a lot of pressure for me to deliver but I like it and i'm slowly enjoying it. I also get a
challenge in teaching the new guys the system that coach tim has put into place. As long as i enjoy what I'm doing and I'm happy being with Alaska, then
I'll be all right."
And as long as John delivers the goods, Alaska will always be a legitimate title contender in the PBA. This young man is slowly making an impact
with his A-game.
Souce: S Magazine (September 2002)
