Female import agent impresses

FRANKLY, I WASN’T too impressed when player agent Danny Espiritu introduced  his fellow-agent Sheryl Reyes, “the first bonafide female import agent” to me some years back.  Danny was in awe of the lady who was a commercial model agent before she became  a player agent.  Her talents came from various parts of the world and   her clients were global. Danny believed she must be earning a pile in dollars, not to mention  the international network of connections she has established.
 “I  got into managing import cagers  years ago because my boyfriend then needed  an agent to negotiate  for him after he was released by  his US agent. From there I hooked up  with athletic shoe manufacturers and distributors, providing them with  endorsers. Then in year 2007, I was asked to co-manage  Asi Taulava.”
 In 2008, feeling that she already had the experience and know-how in local and foreign player management,  she brought in  imports JJ Sullinger and James Penny to play for  the Coke Tigers, alongside Taulava.  Pretty soon she was bringing in more imports to the PBA, among them Shawn Daniels,  Reggie Larry, Keenan Young,  Leroy Hickerson and Sammy Monroe.
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Sheryl didn’t stop there as distant horizons beckoned. There was a demand for foreign  talents we call imports for  other places likeJapan, for example,  and the Dominican Republic,  whom she now regularly  supplies. 
This  year she will also go Asean as she was asked to cater to ABL teams. 
“I will have good imports for the ABL—AJ Johnson for the Philippine Patriots, Kevin White for Brunei,  Marcus Skliner for theSingapore Slingers and Jamal Holden for Indonesia. I also  got a contract for Fil-Am Alex Crisano with the Patriots,” Sheryl said.
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 Because she was serving so many countries worldwide,  she soon caught the attention of the Fiba, where she had to secure accreditation  before she could send imports to various countries.
“I had to take the required examinations in Sydney this year. Last conference, I received communication from the Fiba that I had passed the exams.”
To my knowledge,  she is the only Fiba-accredited agent here in the Philippines.
Do her male counterparts consider her a threat?
“No, she’s a good friend and business associate. It’s give and take for the two of us,” said  fellow-agent Charlie Dy.
As for Sheryl, she says she doesn’t really consider the male agents competition.
“I look up to them and just do my job well, working 24/7. I watch tapes and  find good imports to supply my clients. I always aim to  make a good impression on the associations I am serving.”
Sheryl admits her work is financially rewarding.
“However, my work doesn’t start and end with getting a commission. I  make sure I’m on top of everything until  the player’s contract ends. I make sure I know what’s going on, especially in situations when my player is injured.”
Sheryl sure has gone a long way from the time she was introduced to me by Danny E some five years ago or maybe even more. Now I am impressed.
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HOOPVINE: The PBA board leaves today for Bangkok  for its  first planning session under new PBA commissioner Chito Salud and  2010-2011 board chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace. The session was initially set first week of September in Hong Kong, but  was moved to another date and place because of the hostage crisis… Text message from former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios:  “Read your Sept. 8 column on Riel Banaria. I remember him wanting to apply as PBA referee, but I don’t recall though an  offer from him  to conduct a seminar free of charge. He also claims he “owns Muscle Tape” that Chito Narvasa sells here in the Philippines.”… While the fund-raising game for the ailing Abet Guidaben in Carson City was a huge success, word has it that the condition  of the PBA legend has taken a turn for the worse, his muscles  weakening considerably.  He is due for an operation first week of October.