Happy Birthday, Jose “Boyet” Francisco ( Sept 25 )

Happy Birthday, Jose “Boyet” Francisco

“Pistolero”
1995 PBA Rookie Draft 9th overall pick
FEU Tamaraws guard
1998 PBA Centennial Cup champion
6-season PBA veteran
2-PBA team player

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

JOSE FRANCISCO
Far Eastern's Jose Francisco is another latebloomer in basketball. He did not play the sport as a high school student at the Meycauayan College. And he only decided to tryout with the Tamaraws when he was already on his third year as an Economics student. Still, the 6-1 1/2 forward has the natural moves of a cager and multi-titled coach Arturo Valenzona knows a real talent when he spots one. He took Francisco in and immediately made him a starter. This year, the defending champion Tamaraws aren't rated that highly what with a depleted frontline. The Tams are missing the services of Victor Pablo, Ivan Mondarte, Michael Otto and Bryant Punsalan. However, they're still up there in the standings and many are wondering how long they can hold such a lofty position. "Kahit na maraming bago sa team ay malaki pa rin ang chance namin na maretain ang championship," said Francisco. Among the FEU rookies are Alejandro Paguinto, Joel Chaneco, Jaime Castellví, Renato Gamboa, Emmanuel Estrella and Anthony Pabillore. Aside from Francisco, other mainstays of the Tamaraws are national palyer Johnny Abarrientos and Magnolia cager Nestor Echano. Francisco himself is all set to move up to the PBL. "Kapag tinanggap ang application ng JCT Group of Companies, kukunin daw ako ni coach Valenzona." Boyet, as he is fondly called, was born on September 15, 1970 and is the second of four kids (Rody, Boyet, Rommel and Marsha) of fisherman Romulo Francisco and the former Lolita Caracas, His younger brother Rommel tried out with the Tamaraws but did not make the team. "Medyo magaan ang timbang kong 160 pounds. Kailangang dagdagan ko pa ang 10 to 15 pounds para mas maging effective ako sa banggaan," he said." Of course, he notes that he has learned quite a lot already from Valenzona. "Lahat ng alam ko ngayon, siya ang nagturo. Pero gusto ko pa'ng maimprove ang defense at shooting ko." Boyet is actually only on his third year with the Tams, but this will be his final season in the UAAP. "Siyempre, gusto ko bago matapos ang stint ko sa FEU, mag-champion ulit kami. We'll do our best. Kung may awa ang Diyos, pangarap ko rin na makapaglaro sa PBA someday."