Happy Birthday, Wilfredo “Willie” Generalao ( Aug 29 )

Happy Birthday, Wilfredo “Willie” Generalao

“The Little General”
1980 PBA Rookie direct hire 
1980 PBA Rookie of the Year
University of Visayas Green Lancers point guard
5-PBA team player
12-season PBA veteran
1982 PBA One-on-One tournament champion
4x PBA champion 
1975 National Intercollegiate champion

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Nowadays, they no longer call Willie Generalao the "Little General." Willy is now simply known as "The General." And he likes it that way. Fact is, he's performing like a true General, five stars and all with his new team, the Tanduay Rhummakers. He sure has been proving his worth with the Elizalde ballclub. Willy Generalao is simply playing like Willy Generalao, the 1980 Rookie of the year and top backcourt man of Gilbey's Gin from 1980 to 1984. Well, part of 1984, that is. Actually, last year, Willy suddenly found himself in the backseat of the Palanca quintet. Out in front seat was Sonny Jaworski who, along with buddy Francis Arnaiz, moved over to Gilbey's following the Toyota break-up. In the early Part of the 1984 season, Willy found himself playing a supporting role in the team. He was not used to  this kind of role, but somehow, he managed to adjust. He gave way, rationalizing that the pressure on him was eased with the entry of the Big J and Francis. But deep inside him, he knew he I wanted his old role back but he just couldn't do anything about it. He I couldn't blame his coach for having less faith in him. And that's because he himself was resigned to second fiddle role to the much-seasoned Toyota duo. After the first conference, though, Willy regained his old position as chief conductor of the Gilbey's orchestra. This came after Jaworski suffered a pulled hamstring and had to be sidelined for the rest of the season. But 1984 simply wasn't a good year for Generalao. While he managed to recover his fost bearings, his career was on the spot after Gilbey's management sus pended him, along with Joey Marquez and Gary Vargas for the rest of the third conference. Gilbey's management claimed that the trio had not been playing at par. They were also blamed for the Gins dismal performance in the second and the third conferences. "It hurt me a lot. I've worked for them for a long time. They didn't even ask my side before I was suspended. At that time, we were undermanned. They were expecting too much from a crippled team," lamented Generalao. For the record, Generalao played in 50 of Gilbey's 55 games. He logged a total of 1382 minutes and 10 seconds. He attempted 17 times from the birdie region and converted thrice. He averaged 50.11 from the field (231 out of 463) and had 69.56 from the line (80 out of 115). He brought down 84 defensive and 52 offensive caroms. He was top assist-man of Gilbeys with 327. He also had the most steals with 53. He averaged 11.06 points per contest. Of the three suspended cagers, only one Joey Marquez was retained by Gilbey's (now known as Ginebra San Miguel). Gary Vargas was shipped over to Manila Beer (formerly Beer Hausen) and Willy ended up with Tanduay Rhum, Generalao had one year left in his contract with Gilbey's and this was absorbed by Tanduay. "I believe Generalao will be a great asset to the team," said Tanduay coach Orly Castelo, who once referred to his quintet as a team of individuals who are out to prove themselves. And Willy is out to do just that. He's back with a vengeance. "It's nice playing for Tanduay," said the 28-year old Generalao who is married to the former Socorro Cabaral with whom he has three kids, Michael, 7; Malou, 4 and Mark, 3. "There's not much adjustments to be done. We've blended well. At least I've proven that I am still capable of carrying a team. So far, we're number one and we intend to stay there. But the pressure is getting greater with each game. That's because every team is after us." Regarding his new coach, Orly Castelo, Willy says, "He's okay. He has a very professional approach. He tells us what he expects from us and we tell him what we want. It's a sort of give and take relationship." Aside from his new teammates and his new coach, the one thing that makes Willy happier over at the Tanduay camp is the fact that he's been getting the playing time he wants. He's back to his role as commanding officer, plotting the attack and playing a big part in winning battles for Tanduay.