Men in a Spot: The Fallen Idols (Sports World, 1973)

Sports World Magazine

July 21, 1973

 

 

            DANNY FLORENCIO. The University of Santo Tomas star, he first played for YCO before moving to Crispa. He has been in every “first” national team (i.e., Olympics or ABC first, the Pesta Sukan, second, etc.) since 1966 when he made the Asiad in Bangkok. In 1967, he was a member of the ABC squad under Caloy Loyzaga and played the hero’s role as the Philippines regained the championship. In 1968, the Mexico City Olympics. In 1969, the ABC in Bangkok, Thailand; in 1970, both the ABC 10^th Year Special in Manila and the Sixth Asian Games in Bangkok; in 1971, the Sixth ABC in Tokyo; and in 1972, the Munich Olympic Games.

 

 

 

            VIRGILIO ABARRIENTOS.  UE spitfire who made up for lack of height with blinding speed and accurate jumpshots. One of the abler reserves of Crispa-Floro, Abarrientos came to his own in the playoff for round honors against Mariwasa in the MICAA Open of 1972 when he led a badly-depleted Crispa five (with Adriano Papa, Jr., Reynaldo Alcantara, Rodolfo Soriano, among those suspended for getting involved in an after-the-game fracas) to force the. Recorders to a best of three playoff (which Mariwasa won).

 

            REYNALDO ALCANTARA.  Also a UE standout before playing for Crispa. He was essentially a backcourt man but scored when the frontliners got muzzled. Made it with Rogelio Melencio, Fortunato Acuña, Ernesto Estrada, Reynaldo Franco, George Lizares, Ramon Lucindo, David Regullano, Renato Reyes, Valeriano Delos Santos, and Rodolfo Soriano as champion team in the first Pesta Sukan; was a member of the 1972 squad which included Joaquin Rojas, Jesse Sullano, Lawrence Mumar, Lucindo, Soriano, Rolando Marcelo, Estrada, Delos Santos, Regullano, Orlando Bauzon and Rudolf Kutch which finished second to South Korea.

 

            RUDOLF KUTCH.  Another UE product, was regarded as potential replacement for Alberto (Big Boy) Reynoso in the post. Made his first national team in 1969 as member of the team to the 5^th Asian Basketball Confederation, repeated in the ABC ’70 and also qualified for the 6^th Asiad in Bangkok; had his fourth stint as a national in the ’72 Pesta Sukan selection. His biggest international accomplishment was checking the fabled Shin Dong Pa of Korea in the 1969 ABC in the first half of play.

 

 

 

            ADRIANO PAPA, JR.  A National University star, he first played for Ysmael Steel in the MICAA, then YCO, before settling with Crispa. Became a national in 1966 as member of the Philippines team to the Fifth Asiad; made the 1967 ABC selection and his first Olympics in Mexico City a year later; returned to form for the 1970 6^th Asiad in Bangkok (after missing the 1969 ABC); made the 1971 ABC and became a two-time Olympian with the Munich meet of 1972.

 

            ERNESTO DE LEON. Pugnacious guard recruited by Virgilio (Baby) Dalupan from the University of the East squad. Steady on the backcourt, he was overshadowed in fame by his teammates but not in performance.