Francisco a role model

It was the morning after Sta. Lucia Realty lost a 109-85 decision to FedEx in a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game and I could sense Gerard Francisco’s discomfort as he showed up for a "grilling" session in a mock press conference before 247 students attending "Inkblots 2003," the annual University of Santo Tomas (UST) national campus journalism fellowship, at the Beato Angelico Building in Manila last Saturday.

On its fifth year, "Inkblots" is widely regarded as the country’s top campus journalism conference which features lectures and seminars on sportswriting, newswriting, features writing, investigative reporting, lifestyle and culture writing, creative non-fiction, Filipino literature, cartooning and campus paper management. Staffers of UST’s 75-year-old official student publication "The Varsitarian" organize the fellowship yearly.

I’ve been the sportswriting speaker for "Inkblots" the last four years and I can attest to its glowing reputation. It’s well-managed and extremely comprehensive.

This year’s three-day assembly gathered students from 100 schools in 23 provinces. The keynote address was delivered by UST graduate Eggy Apostol. The lecturers were Lourdes Molina-Fernandez, Ruel de Vera, Nestor Cuartero, Sheila Coronel, Romeo Gacad, Pol Medina, Wendell Capili, Rina Jimenez-David, Arnold Clavio, Joselito Zulueta, Christian Esguerra and myself.

"Inkblots 2003" chairperson was John Buen who is in the "Varsitarian" editorial board with Joanne Fajardo and Dexter Matilla. Assistant chairpersons were Brix Bayuga and Elka Requinta. Assigned to coordinate my lecture was Rose Jabeguero.

It was Rose who suggested for me to invite a PBA player. So aside from my lecture on sportswriting, I moderated a mock press conference with a guest PBA player in the hot seat. My plan was to ask the students to write a piece (column, news story or features article no more than 100 words, in English or Pilipino) based on what transpired in the press conference.

The Star provided specialty cups and T-shrits (courtesy of CEO Miguel Belmonte and Jay Sarmiento) and the PBA, assorted team merchandise as prizes for the best pieces.

I asked Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, a former UST player, if he could allow Francisco to be the guest. Chua–always loyal to his alma mater–adjusted his practice schedule from morning to afternoon to accommodate "Inkblots 2003." Dennis Espino, another UST product like Francisco, would’ve also come if not for a sprain he suffered the night before.

The unassuming Francisco–with his college-boy looks–was a hit with the students. The questions in the mock press conference went on and on. As moderator, I had to stop the proceedings after 30 minutes because if not, Francisco would’ve stayed on for hours and missed his practice.

Francisco was a picture of a real role model. He replied to tough questions without flinching. He didn’t dodge any bullets. He spoke candidly and sincerely. He never showed he was pressed for time. He patiently signed autograph books and wrote lengthy dedications. He posed for pictures.

During the press conference, Francisco said as a player, he isn’t afraid of going up against anyone in the PBA, including Fil-foreigners, imports and bullies. He admitted a conscious effort on Sta. Lucia management’s part to recruit only locals after the Realtors paid dearly for previously hiring a Fil-Sham in Rob Parker. Asked about his jumping ability, the 6-2 Francisco confessed that he has to improve on his leap and attributed positioning and his teammates’ box out tactics as the keys to why he’s averaging more rebounds than points this season.

Francisco said playing on UST and Sta. Lucia title teams will always be the highlight of his career. He singled out Samboy Lim as his idol. He said it was his lifelong dream to play with his heroes in the PBA. Basketball is in the Francisco blood, he noted, because his late father Benjamin played on the national squad that took third place in the World Championships in Brazil in 1954. He said his parents are his inspiration in life. His mother Felicitas is the Assistant Dean of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics. Francisco–who turns 26 on Nov. 2–said he hopes to play 10 more years and it’s possible with hard work and discipline. Regarding Sta. Lucia’s title chances this season, he said the next goal is to advance to the semifinals and once that’s accomplished, the ultimate goal is the championship.

On Fil-foreigners, Francisco said only the legitimate players should be allowed to see action in the PBA. No Fil-Shams, he stressed. He said he prefers playing in the All-Filipino Conference but also welcomes the opportunity to prove that locals can keep up with imports. He pointed to the cloud of doubt surrounding the legitimacy of some Fil-foreigners and the confusion of the drug issue as reasons why attendance has dwindled in the PBA but said lately, fans are starting to fill up the stands again.

After the press conference, Francisco was mobbed by autograph-seekers. He didn’t turn down a single request for an autograph or a pose for a picture.

Incidentally, the best pieces were submitted by V. A. Sembrano of UST, Jimmy Donton of SPCP Puerto Princesa, Juanelio Salao of Letran, Thed Gonzaga of San Pedro College of Business Administration, Cecilia Berroya of La Consolacion of Binan, Julius Manicad of UST, George Santiago