One of the main problems (from a DBA perspective) is that using ORM tools like Hibernate reduces the control over the SQL that actuallu hits the database. With Hibernate, the SQL is generated and executed at runtime, leaving little opportunity for the DBA team to be involved in tuning the SQL for optimal performance.
iBATIS SQLMaps offers a framework which simplified the use of JDBC, but still allows the opportunity to tune and tweak the SQL, offering more fine tuned control.