Remembering Reynaldo “Rey” Cuenco (+) on his birthday ( Dec 27 )

Remembering Reynaldo "Rey" Cuenco (+) on his birthday ( Dec 27 )
Eternal repose grant unto Reynaldo "Rey" Cuenco, o Lord.

1986 PBA Rookie Draft first overall pick
Gregorio Antonio University Foundation center
2x PBA champion
1982 Manila Asian Youth gold medalist
1990 Beijing Asian Games silver medalist
1990 PBA Most Improved Player
1990 PBA Mythical Second Team member

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Rey is the second of four kids born to Francisco Cuenco and the former Clarita David. He started dribbling when he was fourteen. "Larung buko ba kung tawagin nila. \ was already 6'2" then." He was spotted by Coach Magno of Gregorio Araneta University Foundation. Magno wasted no time in persuading Rey to play for GAUF. But Rey only lasted two months with GAUF. Soon, he found himself packing his bags and headed for home. Back in Pampanga, he enrolled at the Republic Central College and took up Commerce. He only lasted a season for RCC. RCC placed second to Angeles University in the ACA league. Angeles University was then bannered by another RP Youth mainstay Manuel Luis 'Totoy' Marquez. During an Intercommercial League in Betis, Pampanga, Rey met Masagana 99 cagers Boy Viray, Serg Geneblaza and Joey Magana. Rey was playing for the Betis Selection while the three Ricegrowers were seeing action for Dalakitan, San Fernando. Impressed by Cuenco's height (now (6'4 1/2"), the trio of Viray, Geneblaza and Magana told him to try out for the Masagana 99 squad. On January of 1982, Rey went to the Masagana 99 quarters at the Ministry of Agriculture building in Quezon City. He was readily taken in by M-99 coach, Director Ding Panganiban. After seeing action for Masagana 99 in the 1982 Interclub, Ron Jacobs asked Rey to try out for the RP Youth quintet. Despite his rawness, Rey made it to the national team. "I learned a lot from Ron Jacobs. Noong una,  akala ko magaling na ako. Pero marami pa pala akong dapat matutuhan. Bago nga ako mapunta sa Youth, hirap na hirap sa akin si Bay Geneblaza. Pinagtiyagaan niya akong turuan sa Masagana 99. Akala ko tama na yung naituro niya sa akin," recalls Rey. Likewise, Rey admits, "I was nervous when I started playing in the AYBC. Hindi ko pa kasi alam ang kalaban namin. But I overcame my fears. And I gained experience. Mr. Cojuangco has been very supportive. Sobrang bait. All out sa mga bata." This year, people in the know expect Rey Cuenco to deliver the goods for the RP Youth quintet out to defend its crown in the forthcoming 8th AYBC scheduled in Korea from April 7 to 21. And coach Larry Albano says, "Definitely, Rey has improved a lot. His 1982 experience is the best thing going for him. At least now, he knows what kind of opposition we are facing." Cuenco is one of two remnants of the 1982 Youth campaigners. The other one is Ludovico Valenciano, an alternate in '82. Valenciano has metamorphosed into a sweetshooter par excellence. "Comparatively speaking, this team is stronger than that of 1982. Sa training na lang talaga magkakatalo. Malaki ang chance natin. But of course it depends on the teams that the other countries are sending. Hindi pa natin nakikita ang mga kalaban natin. Mahirap magsalita." In the PBA, Rey Cuenco idolizes Mon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben. "Kaila ngan kasi may idolo ka. Yung gagayahin mo ba. Pareho kasi ang papel namin. We all are centers. Tinitignan ko ang movements nila. That's one way of learning." Rey,however, says that he still does not consider himself an excellent player. "Marami pa akong dapat matutuhan. I think kulang pa ako sa depensa. Pero bago umalis papuntang Korea, siguro okay na ako." I.J.P.  

Source : Sports Weekly Magazine FEB. 24-MAR. 2, 1984