Happy Birthday, Federico “Bokyo” Lauchengco ( June 21 )

BOKIO LAUCHENGCO
SIR GALAHAD RIDES AGAIN ( Sports Weekly Magazine dated : SEPTEMBER 21-28, 1984 )

Now, after more than a year and half in the PBA, Bokyo says, "I'm here. This is it. I could have made it several years back but I had to wait. And this is the fruit of that long wait." Bokyo Lauchengco, now 27 years old, could have turned pro as early as 1978 when he was being drafted by both San Miguel and Toyota. But he wanted to play as a national player, He rationalized that at the time, he wasn't fully equipped to join the pro league. And so, he remained in the amateur ranks. Lauchengco realized his dream when he became member of the RP team that placed eighth during the 1978 World Basketball Championships held in Manila. Then came the Pesta Sukan stint in 1979, the SEA Games in Jakarta and the ABC in Nagoya. In 1981, he played in the Calcutta ABC and in the Manila SEA Games. In 1982, he was a member of the RP five that placed fourth in the New Delhi Games. After that, he decided that his service to the national team was already more than enough. It was about time for him to help himself. After all, he wasn't getting any younger. He signed up with San Miguel in the latter part of 1982 but in early 1983, the BAP summoned him and included his name in the list of hopefuls for the 1983 SEA Games scheduled in Singapore. Lauchengco started battling for his right to turn pro. Subsequently, he won his battle and got his release papers from the BAP. His first two games for San Miguel in the PBA were good. He performed impressively against Great Taste and Crispa. However, after those games, Lauchengco found himself riding the bench more often than seeing action on the hardcourt. Such was his predicamant up to the end of the first conference. Midway in the second conference, Bokyo, who wasn't used to riding the bench, approached coach Nat Canson and asked his mentor what the problem was. And Nat Canson said, "I'm waiting for the proper time. This thing needs timing There's nothing wrong with you. All I want is to give you the breaks when the team needs your service more." True to Nat's words, the breaks came 

Lauchengco's way at the proper time and proper place. It was during a TanduaySan Miguel knockout contest for the right to enter the semis that Bokyo Lauchengco showed them all that his guns weren't rusty yet. And to date, those guns of Lauchengco continue booming for the Gold Eagle Beermen. Lauchengco is all praises for Nat Canson, a coach who has, from the beginning of Bokyo's stint in the commercial league, been like a doting father. Nat Canson was Lauchengco's coach in Crown Motors, Mán Diesel, Frigidaire, Solidmills, Paul Jordan and the '82 Asian Games. "He knows me and I  know him. And I'm thankful that all along he was think. ing of how he would get me going in the proper time. Si coach Canson ay isang coach na iginagalang. Hindi basta-basta napagdadabugan. Kung may problema ka, tutulungan ka niya. Ako, kung ilang beses na niya ako tinutulungan," said Bokyo. Bokyo first played basketball for the University of the East Pages in 1973. He transferred to University of Manila the following year and then again transferred to Far Eastern University in 1975. He, however, did not see action in the UAAP. He dribbled for FEU only during the Love Bank Sponsored dream game between UAAP and NCAA. In 1976, he played in the MICAA. Twice, Bokyo could have played for Toyota. The first time was in 1978 and the second was in 1982. Immediately after the 1981 SEA Games held in Manila, Bokyo and Ricky Relosa were contacted by Toyota coach Ed Ocampo. But Bokyo was still undecided. When finally he approached Ed Ocampo, the Toyota mentor told him that Toyota's line-up was already complete. "I'm not choosy. I just wanted to play for a team where I could feel at home. Kahit na hindi glamour team, basta at home ako at ginagamit ako. I want to feel that I'm needed." Bokyo is married to the former Herusalen Sanchez with whom he has three kids the twins Sheila Marie and Sharon, 7, and Shaun, 4. Lauchengco, who sports a Sir Galahad hairstyle, says his hair is some sort of a charm. "Para bang anting-anting. It all started during my high school days. Uso pa ang hippie-hippie noon. Mas mahaba pa dito ang buhok ko. Nakursunadahan ko lang na ganito ang ayos. Since then, I've always played with this hairstyle. Hindi na nagbago. Hindi rin naman nagbabago ang laro ko." So far, Lauchengco is the leading scorer in the Gold Eagle camp for the second conference, In the absence of Abe King, Lauchengco, along with Biboy Ravanes and Marte Saldana, have been working double time. And it looks like Gold Eagle Beer may just make it to the semis this time around. "Without Abe, we were able to survive. Now that Abe is back, I see no reason why we can't make it to the semis. With a little luck, we might also reach the finals," quipped Bokyo. As a rejoinder, Bokyo says, "I'm here. I've arrived. And I intend to stay here for quite a while." I.J.P.