Happy Birthday, Josel Angeles ( May 8 )

Happy Birthday, Josel Angeles

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1990 PBA Rookie Draft 22nd overall pick
Lyceum Pirate 
12-season PBA veteran

JOSELO ANGELES Born May 8, 1963 Maragondon, Cavite
185 cms., 79.4 kgs.
Forward 

Picked on the third round of the amateur draft and made the final cut when second round choice Romeo Lopez injured his knee. Signed only a year's contract and had to give out everything he's got to ensure longevity in the league. Got off to a slow start in the first con- ference but had some bright moments in the All-Filipino when he discarded his awkward stance to match skills against the established stars. Considered a pesky defender, he caused a back injury on Ramon Fernandez during a practice session. A former Lyceum Pirate, Josel played for Yco, Hope Cigarettes, Converse, and Sta. Lucia Realty in the amateur ranks. Averaged 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Coincidentally, Angeles comes from a family of twins! He is the fourth of six kids (Jocelyn, Roei, Joel, Joselo, Rojann and Johann) of Jose Angeles and Leni Sisayan. The family has two twins actually-Roeland Joel and Rojann and Johann! The family has its roots in Maragondon, Cavite. Joselo spent his 26th birthday last May 8 on a rather somber note as his mother passed away on the very same day due to a heart attack. Somehow, that added to the miseries of being benched in the First conference. But he managed to get over both setbacks! Wife Renee Margaret and child Rhendyonselle definitely serve to inspire him to strive harder. Actually, he really needs to go full throttle as he only signed a one- year contract with the Beermen. Angeles was a last minute addition to the team. He was drafted on the third round and was inked to a pact only when second round pick Romeo Lopez suffered a sprain and was unable to attend practices prior to the opening of the season. Lopez opted to return to the amateur ranks and rejoined San Miguel's sisterteam Magnolia Ice Cream which copped the PBL Maharlika Cup title and finished third in the Challenge Cup. "Siyempre, hindi pa ako kuntento sa ipinapakita ko dahil limited nga ang playing time. Pero so far, okay na rin ang exposure na ibinibigay sa akin. Hindi naman kasi puwedeng biglain," said the 6-3 Angeles who first played for Fuji Soy Sauce in the PABL and then hopped from Hope Ciga- rettes to Yco to RFM-Swift to Converse and Sta. Lucia Realty. A journeyman of sorts, he finds the PBA a refreshing experience. However, often he is ranged against established stars like Benjie Paras and Alvin Patrimonio and awkward-looking as he is, fans feel he is undermatched. Of course, sometimes he proves them wrong! "Puwede rin naman ako'ng umopensa, e. Kaya lang, talagang defense ang role ko sa team na ito. Marami na kasing tumitira magugulo lang kapag sumabay pa kami sa kanila. Of course, we're not prohibited to take shots kung nasa pusisyon kami." he added. Truth of the matter is, defense is a tougher task and few PBA players have perfected the art. Still, Postanes and Angeles are out to give it a try. After all, that's the job on hand, at the moment. Maybe, much later, they'll shine on both ends of the court. For now, though, they can only promise to try and be of help to San Miguel's title retention bid.