Flashback Amateur Player Feature # 6 - Daniel Francisco

Daniel Francisco played one year for the Ateneo juniors and two years for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. On all occasions, his teams wound up champions. Three out of three. A worthy batting average. He was devastating when the Blue Eaglets clinched the 1986 junior division championship of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). He averaged 18 points and ten rebounds per contest as the Eaglets trampled their adversaries. Because of his sterling performance, he was quickly taken into the senior squad without any hesitation on the part of then coach Cris Calilan. Unlike other freshmen, he did not even go through a year's residence or first year benching. He was quickly a starter if only to accentuate his importance to the team. With Francisco and former RP junior standout Enrique Reyes manning the boards, Ateneo copped its first ever UAAP senior division crown in ten years. This year, the Eagles made it two in a row by trouncing arch rival La Salle in the finals. Again, Francisco was a big factor in the squad now handled by Matthew 'Fritz' Gaston. "You can't give me sole credit for that. It's plain team effort. Maybe, I just fitted into the system with minimal adjustments. But my teammates were simply great. Of course, the coaches that handled those teams wracked their brains to ensure winning the championships. They deserve the credit," says Daniel modestly. His feats did not go unnoticed by national coach Edmundo Badolato who took him into the Philippine under-19 squad that will seek its sixth title in the 10th Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Junior championships set in Manila January 24 to February 2, 1989. "It's an honor to be a member of the national team. Of course, I always dreamed of this moment. I will try my best not to fail my coach and my countrymen in their expectations," said Francisco. Daniel, who stands 6-6 will alternate with 6-11 behemoth Edward Joseph Feihl in manning the slot. But of course, because Daniel is more mobile, he is expected to get more playing time despite being five inches shorter than Feihl. The youngest of eight kids (Raymundo, Ma. Cristina, Ma. Corazon, Vicente IV,  former RP junior cager Gilbert. "My dad is considerate. He once played basketball for Ateneo. My mom also loves basketball." said Daniel who adds that his lean frame is his problem. He weighs a little over 170 lbs. and is easily boxed out or pushed by opponents. But, of course, we are reminded of another tall cager who weighs just about the same but compensates for this with his cerebral plays. Daniel Francisco has the makings of another Ramon Fernandez. Daniel's biggest weapon, though, is the sky hook lifted from Lakers' Kareem AbdulJabbar although his idol is actually Boston's Kevin Mchale. To toughen up, Daniel has undergone physical fitness and special training under Mar de Leon. And to date, he is no longer a pushover. Aside from basketball, he swims a lot as this form of exercise also develops the physique.

Source : Sports Weekly Magazine DEC. 30, 1988-JAN. 6, 1989