Happy Birthday, Joselito “Jolly” Escobar ( June 1 )

Happy Birthday, Joselito “Jolly” Escobar

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1992 PBA Rookie Draft 3rd overall pick
3x PBA champion
1991 SEAG gold medalist
UE Red Warrior
PBA broadcast team analyst

Like Benjie Paras, Jolly comes from San Beda College. "I was already with the senior team while he was playing high school ball. I spent two years with the senior team in the NCAA before going to the States. I returned in 1989 and played for University of the East," said Jolly. He was named Rookie of the Year in the UAAP in 1989. From there, he played for Burger Machine and Triple V before moving up to the pros last year. Jolly feels he still has a lot to learn. "I have to polish my dribbling and perimeter shooting skills. Likewise, kailangan din ang diskarte sa loob ng court. Whenever I do something wrong, I get reminders from coach Salazar. The older guys don't get reminders. But I take that as a compliment. The coach has confidence in me and he's only trying to correct my flaws, I accept that." Jolly, who turns 24 on June 1, is the eldest and only boy in a brood of four of Jose Escobar and Dolores Orendain. His younger sisters include Joy, Marla and Carla. "I guess what we really need at this point is the return of dela Rosa. We need a take-charge guy. Allan Garrido is like that. But we cannot rely totally on a rookie," said Escobar. Career-wise, Paras' absence is working in favor of Jolly. "I have to take it as a challenge. I have to give it my best."