Happy Birthday! Ernesto Ballesteros ( Jan 28 )

The Growling Tigers never run out of big men. After winning championships with the likes of Dennis Espino, Rey Evangelista and Edmond Reyes who are all playing in the PBA today, the Tigers still crowd the shaded area with guys like Christopher Cantonjos and Ernesto Ballesteros. Of the current twin tower combination of coach Aric del Rosario, Ballesteros is the lesser star. After all, Cantonjos had played for both the national youth and men's teams in the past. However, Ballesteros is the more intense player. Perhaps, that's his way of trying to make up for lesser sheen. Estong, as he is called, turned 23 last January 28. He is the youngest of eight children (Pablo, Purita, Marcelino, Lucila, Bienvenido, Antonio, Renato and Ernesto) of Marcelino Ballesteros, Sr. and the former Amparo Cortez. He played three years of high school ball for the Mapua Tech Red Robins before moving on to the UST camp. He is currently a member of the Burger Machine squad in the PBL although he started out with Red Bull and then dribbled for a while for Chowking. At 6-4 1/2, Estong is actually fast for his size. "Yun siguro ang asset ko. Mabilis ako kahit na matangkad. Nakakapag-dribble din ako," he said. That's why this early, at least two PBA squads are trying to woo him over and these are Purefoods and Sta. Lucia Realty. To which he said, "This will be my last year in the UAAP. I am planning to turn pro next season." An education student majoring in PE, Estong says he also plans to teach should his basketball career prove shortlived. But such a fallback position is hardly realistic considering how talented he is on the hardcourt. He has all the right moves and the right attitude and there is hardly any reason for him to fail on the hardcourt.