Happy Birthday, Juancho “Choy“ Estrada ( June 25 )

Happy Birthday, Juancho “Choy“ Estrada

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1991 PBA Rookie Draft 9th overall pick
2x PBA champion
3-season PBA veteran 
Adamson University Falcon guard

IT'S the year of the Pangasinenses what with Fidel V. Ramos getting elected president of the Philippines and being sworn in last June 30. Over at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), another Pangasinense is slowly but surely carving out a name for himself. But unlike Ramos, whose tenure as president of the Republic is six years, lithe and nimble Juancho Estrada's contract with the Swift Mighty Meaty Hotdogs is good for only one season and ends this December. No wonder Estrada is playing like an obsessed man and tirelessly giving his best whenever dispatched into the fray by Swift coach Joseller 'Yeng' Guiao.
"Kahit one second lang basta't maipakita ko na kaya ko'ng maglaro, okay lang. Satisfied naman ako sa playing time ko," said the six-foot Estrada. Choy, as he is fondly called by peers, was actually drafted on the third round by Pepsi Cola last year, but failed to come to terms with team manager Steve Watson. He returned to the amateur ranks and played for Swift's sister team, Pop Cola, under Roehl Nadurata. This year, Guiao decided to give Estrada a break. Instead of signing fourth round pick Melchor Teves, Guiao offered Estrada a one-year contract which Choy readily accepted. "Gusto ko na rin kasing maglaro sa PBA. Tutoo, maigsi ang one year. Pero marami namang puwedeng mangyari. Kung buwenasin ka, mae-extend ang contract mo. Kung hindi, sorry na lang!" he says. But from all indications, it looks like Choy could get an extension. He has proven his worth as a good defender for Swift and is very often pitted against hitmen of the opposing squads. Allan Caidic of Presto, Jojo Lastimosa of Alaska and Ronald Magsanoc of Shell, among others, have sampled what it is like to be guarded by the indefatigable Estrada. "Si Allan ang pinakamahirap bantayan. Bukod sa maraming galaw dahil puwedeng tumira sa labas at loob, ang dami pa'ng tulong ng teammates niya. Ang dami mo'ng lulusutang picks. Sasakit ang katawan mo sa kahahabol kay Allan," said Choy. Choy credits two coaches who inculcated into his mind the importance of defense and these are Nadurata and Philips Sardines mentor Joe Lipa. "Sa Philips ako nagtagal nang husto. Bale one year lang ako naglaro sa Pop Cola." Choy started out as a junior dribbler for the Holy Angel University in Pampanga where he saw action for a year under coach Danny Gozum. From there, he tried out at Adamson University and played with the Falcons for five years under five different coaches Barok Urbiztondo, Nemie Villegas, Charlie Badion, Tony Guinto and Pitong de Castro.