Happy Birthday, Robinson “Ben” Obrique ( May 23 )

Happy Birthday, Robinson “Ben” Obrique

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

2-season PBA veteran
Galleon Shippers / CDCP pioneer
Imperial Textile Mills slasher
Masagana 99 Rice Growers forward

In the early 80's When Ben Obrique was 22 and 5-11. At the rate he plays the wings, he definitely appears a lot taller. Fast-clipping and possessed of a springy pair of legs which can put to shame the country's leading highjumpers, the afro-haired topscorer of PSBA has eliminated his butterfingers and failing heart in favor of a consistent offense and massive defense to become MMUCAA's toast. How he fared, against Feati, 19 points; DOMS, 18; NCBA, 26; UM, 34; PCHU, 18; and Lyceum, 22, for a shooting average of 22.1 in six games. The 156 lbs. and management sophomore student is one of the eight children, all boys, of Gregorio Obrique and the former Leodegaria Galigao of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. He got into competetive basketball when he made the junior team of Roxas College. For two years, he was under the tutelege of Coach Aguindo. This is his third year with the Jaguars. Among his teammates, he speaks highly of Mon Dizon. "He is good and very unselfish. He knows my moves and he feeds me a lot. He is one skipper who sure knows his trade." The hardcourt tiger has not been involved in any hardcourt misdemeanors. "Sportsmanship is still the name of the game, and besides, you end up the loser by playing with onion skin. Basketball is a contact game, one should be prepared for it. Of course there are those who play it rough and rugged. One should consider the roughousing as just part of the game." Obrique is undeniably his team's big gunner. But while it is true that his twisting layups under the board has elicited cheers from the fans, it is in mighty offensive rebounding that he has scintillated the most. Stockily-built with pigeon chest and track and field legs, Obrique claims that he inherited his spring from his mother, who, during her student days, was standout in the high-jump. "I have to improve my teammanship. I mean I should be assisting more the open man. And my dribble, I have to polish it," he states. MMUCAA's shooting sensation plans to settle in the States "if nothing happens to my caging." At the rate things are going for him though, he might just have to set aside this plan, and concentrate on the game he has truly learned to love.