Happy Birthday, Fernando Garcia ( Feb 05 )

FERNANDO GARCIA
Fernando Garcia is the heart and soul of the Adamson Falcons. Being on his fourth season with the team coached by Nemie Villegas, he is the most senior among his teammates. And not only that. Having played for a number of commercial teams, he too is the most seasoned cager. Of course, another teammate, Romulo Orillosa has the distinction of being a national player. The 23-year old Nandy is the seventh of nine children (Nida Vivian, Emy, Marissa, Lorna, Rey, Nandy, Arnel and Gani) born to Ricardo Garcia and Angelita Gonzales. The Garcias reside at Imus Cavite. After completing high school at Adamson where he played four years under different coaches which include Al Quesada and Boy Arazas, Nandy went directly to Masagana 99 and was part of the team that won two National senior championships. He was actually the youngest member of the Ricegrowers batch coached by now Purefoods manager Ding Panganiban.  From Masagana 99, he hopped to Hope Cigarettes, Yco Shinemasters, and then Converse All-Stars. With the disbandment of Converse, he hopes to latch on to one of the three new teams in the PABL. "Maganda rin ang experience ko sa commercial league. Medyo tumapang nang konti. Of the four teams I've been with, sa Hope at Converse ako mas nabigyan ng break," said the 6-3 Garcia. Hope coach Arturo Valenzona and Converse mentor Jun Celis had installed a big fighting heart in Garcia. "Iba yung kumpiyansang ibinigay nila sa akin. Nagagamit ko dito sa UAAP." Truth is, Garcia is the leading scorer in the UAAP, averaging more than 25 points per game. All because he has no qualms of going up against his opponents. "Siyempre, I credit my present coach Nemie Villegas for also having faith in me. Kaya lang talagang kulang pa itong team namin. Next year siguro, babawi kami. Magpapalakas muna," said Garcia who has still one year to go with the Falcons as per UAAP rules. Through it all, Nandy pines for a slot in the national team someday. "Siyempre, yan ang ambition ng kahit sinong player. Secondary lang ang PBA. Muntik na rin akong mapasama sa national team when I was asked to tryout in mid 1986 para sa Seoul Asian Games. Kaya lang, marami talagang magagaling noon. Siguro, kung papalarin, puwede pa ako ngayon." As a final word, Garcia, who roots for Larry Bird and Ramon Fernandez, said, "I want to add more poundage. At saka gusto kong ma-improve ang speed ko. Maybe later, I'd shift from forward to guard."