By Rey C. Lachica
Like other certified PBA superstars, Kenneth Duremdes has his own share of ups and downs.
Former Alaska Milkmen and MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes (photo from MPBL Facebook)
After playing second fiddle to the flamboyant Vergel Meneses at the Sunkist Juice team in his first two years in the pros, the sweet-shooting Duremdes got the break he wanted when he was traded to Alaska Milk in late 1997.
There he was welcomed by no less than coach Tim Cone, who the year before steered the Aces to a rare Grand Slam.
His addition to an already loaded squad made Cone’s job easier as the pride of Marbel, South Cotabato adjusted quickly to Cone’s system – primarily the Triangle Offense.
In a recent coaching webinar, Cone admitted that Duremdes has a natural feel for the intricate system unlike some other players.
“For Kenneth, it just came easy,” said Cone, who won his second Grand Slam with San Mig Super Coffee Mixers six years ago before moving to crowd favorite Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel.
With Cone’s trust and confidence, Duremdes found Alaska to be a perfect launching pad to a promising career.
His impact was immediate as the Aces won three straight championships starting with the 1997 Governors’ Cup.
With his numbers steadily improving each game, Duremdes became one of the recognizable sports stars in the country.
His rise to stardom was almost meteoric.
Duremdes reached the pinnacle of success when he won the MVP award in 1998 at the age of 24. He won several more accolades, emerging as the Best Player of the Conference in the 2000 All-Filipino Conference.
Kenneth Duremdes during his glory days at Alaska.
He continued to dazzle his legion of fans and awe his defenders with his devastating mix of jumpers that he was fondly called “Captain Marbel.”
When his contract neared expiration in 2001, Duremdes was understandably pursued and courted by Mobiline (now TNT KaTropa).
The offer was mind-boggling, but the Aces management matched the offer — grudgingly it was said, and kept their star player in the fold.
Apart from the reporter P48 million contract spread over eight years, his perks and other bonus schemes were likewise mouth-watering.
He did not detail those, but Duremdes he could have had a more comfortable life now.
“Yun ang napakalaking sayang, mas mahaba sana ang pisi ko ngayon,” said Duremdes.
To his horror, two years after he signed a new contract with the Aces in 2001, he was traded to Sta. Lucia.
“That was my biggest disappointment in my PBA career,” said Duremdes in a text message. “I was still at the prime of my career then.”
“Hindi pa naman ako palaos noon,” he added.
While he remained perplexed, Duremdes holds no grudges against Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu, saying: “They might have a great plan for the team then and besides, they gave me the break.”
Though he formed a triumvirate with Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino, he had little success in a Sta. Lucia uniform.
And a year after he was shipped to Coca Cola (its franchise was later sold) where he was installed as interim coach albeit – no thanks to the prodding of several teammates.
That ended his once glittering career as a player.
“Hindi maayos ang exit ko as a player,” said Duremdes now the commissioner of the Manny Pacquiao-funded MPBL.
But he’s now thrilled with the thought that his sons – 6-foot-2 Kinji and 6-foot Kylle — are following in his footsteps.
Kinji will be part of the National University Bullpups in the coming UAAP season while Kylle plays point guard at Marina High School in California.
“I am hoping and praying that they can also play in the PBA,” Duremdes said, bitterness nowhere in his voice.