Happy Birthday, Porfirio "Jun" Marzan, Jr.( Oct 28 )

Happy Birthday, Porfirio "Jun" Marzan, Jr.

1994 PBA Rookie Draft 26th overall pick
University of Baguio Cardinals standout
11-PBA season veteran
2-PBA team player
2x PBA champion

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

It is a known fact that some players take it easy on the first year of their contracts and then pour it all on the last year in order to impress their coaches, conserve energy and get a better deal the following year. But not Marzan. Hindi ako ganoon, eh," he says. "Ang sa akin ay kailangang gawin ko kung ano ang gusto ng coach, kung ano ang makakatulong sa team. Gusto ko every game ay magampanan ko ang role ko." These are traits that have been inherent to Jun since his playing days at the University of Baguio where he took up Civil Engineering but failed to complete the course. Instead, he polished his basketball skills under Nestor Cartas. On his first year with UB, he easily made it to the Baguio Selection sponsored by Shakey's in a PBL tournament eight years ago. "Naaalala mo pa 'yon?" he asked this writer when reminded of such feat. "Oo, nandoon ako sa Shakey's Baguio. Kasama ko si Toying Teves." the PBL. After one tournament, Jun But that was a short-lived stint in returned to Baguio and faced his books for two years. When he felt he was ready for another crack in the PBL, he went to Manila, tried out for a spot on the Burger Machine roster and got the nod of coach Perry Ronquillo. "Si Coach Perry talaga ang nakatulong sa akin nang malaki. Marami akong napulot sa kanya," avers Jun. In 1994, he was picked by Ginebra on the fifth round. "Depressed na talaga ako noong patapos na ang drafting at wala pang kumukuha sa akin. Nakakahiya kasi, eh," he recalled. But when Ginebra announced his name, his face lit up. After him, Formula Shell drafted Arnold Padaong last. Despite the lowly billing in the draft, Marzan impressed Coach Robert Jaworski so much so that veteran Alejo Alolor was placed on the reserved list to give way to the rookie. He had a good first year with Ginebra but did not last with the Gins and was given his walking papers in the end. "No regrets dahil may napulot din ako sa Ginebra. Natuto ako na protektahan ang sarili ko. Hindi talaga ako puwedeng umangat doon dahil marami akong kaagaw sa playing time. Mas una sila sa akin pagdating sa priority," he assessed. Last year, Ronquillo joined Narvasa on the Shell bench and when the need for a no-nonsense hustle player came about, Marzan's name was first on the list. Marzan hooked up with the Turbo Chargers on short notice and inked a short-term contract which was later extended to the whole year. He chased his men, dove for loose balls, traded faces with the opponents and did everything the superstars won't care to do. That endeared him to the Shell system. "Ganoon lang naman talaga ang gusto kong laro, e. Gusto ko, ako ang taga-gising sa mga kakampi ko. Kailangang gising na gising kami all throughout the game," he said.