Happy Birthday, Aristotle "Aris" Franco ( Nov 22 )

Happy Birthday, Aristotle "Aris" Franco

1990 PBA Rookie Draft 13th overall pick
Lyceum Crimson Pirates guard
1990 PBA First Conference champion
1-season PBA player
Formula Shell defensive guard

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

The oldest among last year's batch of rookies, he bumped off the likes of Epoy Jalmasco, Jimmy Manansala and Freddie Hubalde from Shell's roster. He didn't make quite a good impression as he wound up with only 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 29 contests. Was dropped from Shell's line-up and may likely be included in the list of players who ended a career in the PBA after only one season. Son of the Philippine's first Asiad gold medalist Andres Franco. He played for Lyceum of the Philippines during his college days in the early 80's and had some forgettable stints for several amateur ballclubs before going into semi-retirement. Was plucked out of oblivion by Philips Sardines in 1988 where he regained his shooting touch and confidence.

ARISTOTLE FRANCO
Aristotle Franco is perhaps one of the more senior citizens in the PABL. Despite being 30 years old, Aris still has the touch. A streak shooter, he showed everybody he could complement the inside brilliance of tall boy Venancio Paras last year. Without Paras, Philips Sardines now relies more on its team plays and Franco gets the usual exposure from coach Joe Lipa. Aris is the youngest and only boy of five kids of 1952 Helsinki Olympian Andres Franco and the former Cristeta Tuazon. "Hindi ko naman pinangarap maglaro ng basketball. Gusto ko sanang maging duktor," said Aris who was forced to play basketball to complete a collegiate degree after his father got sick. His father once held the RP record in the high jump. "Ang tutoo niyan, chess and laro ko sa Jose Rizal College pero hanggang intrams lang, It was in 1981 when I tried basketball. I was already 23 years old. Noong first year ko sa Lyceum, last year na nina Leo Austria at Dante Gonzalgo," he added. He spent five years with the Lyceum Pirates and then played for countryfair Hotdogs, Coalfields Mining, and Bayside before going on a three year hibernation. Aris resurfaced last year and hooked up with Philips Sardines. Despite the lay-off, he showed nary a trace of slowing down. He was his old self, reliable at the clutches. Aris is married to the former Mercy Velasco with whom he has two kids: Shiela Merissa, 5; and Alody Sibyl, 2. He stands 511 and plays forward-off guard. Asked whether he dreams of someday making it to the PBA, he said, "Hindi ko naman alam kung paano papasok doon. Naguguluhan din ako kung kaya ko ngang maglaro sa PBA. At saka isa pa, wala namang lumalapit sa akin. Siguro, hindi para sa akin ang basketball." A Business Administration graduate, Aris said he wants to put up his own business which the family could manage. "Kasi, sa ngayon, ang routine ko, practice-game-uwi. Ganoon lang ako palagi. Sa Tondo kami nakatira. Hindi ako masyadong nagpupunta sa iba-ibang lugar," he said. He concluded, "Kung maaga akong natuto ng basketball siguro matagal na akong nasa PBA. Siyempre pinangarap ko rin iyon. Kaso tila huli na nang mahiligan ko ang basketball."