Happy Birthday, Carlito “Carlo” Espiritu ( Sept 21 )

Happy Birthday, Carlito “Carlo” Espiritu

1995 PBA Rookie Draft 18th overall pick
Letran Knights center
Shell Rimula-X reserve forward

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

CARLO ESPIRITU
Carlo Espiritu is one of those players gifted with the best of both worlds. He's good on the hardcourt and he is good looking so much so that he had received an offer to do a movie for Jessie Chua's Eureka Films. He politely turned down the offer, though, as he wants to concentrate on basketball, It is his hopes to turn pro next year. When he does, he'll definitely find a lot of takers. Carlo was born on September 21, 1972 to Tony Espiritu and the former Norma Dizon. He is the eldest in a brood of four which include Mel, Nerissa and Jen-Jen. He played high school ball for St. Joseph's School in Tondo alongside now San Miguel Beerman Joseph Valdez. From there, he dribbled for Tri-Head in the MICAA where he was spotted by former Letran coach Eddie Reyes. The 6-3, 196-lb. Espiritu had impressed Reyes that he was promptly turned into a starter as a Knight. Last year, he made his debut in the PBL where he suited up for Serg's. After a conference, Serg's disbanded and Carlo was taken in by Otto Shoes handled by coach Adonis Tierra. At Otto, he is utilized as reliever to national player Cris Bade. Despite the meager exposure, he has surprised everyone by his sense of timing off both boards. However, the Shoemakers failed to make it to the finals as they ran into a string of bad luck in the semis. The Shoemakers even walked out of a game against Nikon.. "Kulang pa sa teamwork. Panay bago kasi kami," said Carlo, who is a fan of Ginebra San Miguel playing coach Robert Jaworski. He hopes to be drafted by either the Gins or Sta. Lucia Realty next season.