Francis Arnaiz
Encyclopedia
Francis C. Arnaiz is a former Filipino
professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association
. He played for Toyota
and Ginebra San Miguel
from 1975-1986. He was also a former member of the Philippine national basketball team having played in the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation Tournament and 1974 FIBA World Basketball Tournament.
and Ramon Fernandez
, formed the troika of the vaunted Toyota offense. During his years with the Delta Motor-owned company, they won nine PBA titles while having memorable games against arch-rival Crispa Redmanizers
where he had many ferocious on and off the court battles with Bernie Fabiosa
. Arnaiz became one of the most popular players on the team not only for his playing style, but also gained a following among the female fans due to his mestizo look.
He hit clutch baskets for Toyota during crucial moments of the game, thus the moniker "Mr. Clutch." He is known for his looping layups against imports and local behemoths that was impossible to block.
After Toyota disbanded in 1984, Arnaiz followed Jaworski in a controversial move to Gilbey's Gin (later known as Ginebra San Miguel). With him and Jaworski reliving their old backcourt partnership, they made Ginebra become a prominent contender in the PBA. However, he migrated to the United States and retired permanently in 1986 before he saw Ginebra win their first PBA title.
He is considered one of the most explosive guards in the PBA. He was a member of both the 5,000 and 10,000 points club having finished his career with a total of 10,292 points for an average of 16.8 points per game. He was also a member of the 2,000 assists club. He was the other half of the dreaded Batman and Robin tandem of Toyota, the other being Jaworski himself. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports04_may24_2005
, resided in California
, and later worked for the United States government while also becoming an evangelist. Arnaiz claims in an interview that his life abroad was quite different from his living the fast life as a player in the Philippines
.
In 2000, he was named in the PBA's 25 Greatest Players List during a ceremony on April 9. His brother, Leo, received the award after Arnaiz failed to received his award due to his work commitments in the United States.
In 2004, Arnaiz made his long-awaited return to the country. He was interviewed by various media outlets recalling several memories from his playing days to his life after retirement. He was supposed to play in 2003 Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game and the 2005 TM Legends Game but failed to arrive due to his prior commitments.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
. He played for Toyota
Toyota Super Corollas
The Toyota Super Corollas was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975-1983. The team had various monikers such as the Comets, the Silver Tamaraws, the Tamaraws, the Super Diesels, the Super Corollas and the Silver Coronas.Their nine PBA titles is the...
and Ginebra San Miguel
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
from 1975-1986. He was also a former member of the Philippine national basketball team having played in the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation Tournament and 1974 FIBA World Basketball Tournament.
Early Basketball Years
Arnaiz had a love for sports and was shooting stuffed toys into a basket in early childhood. While studying at La Salle-Bacolod in elementary school, he competed in football and basketball. Football provided the speed and exceptional footwork, skills which would later develop him into an outstanding basketball player. He led St. Clement's High School to the PRISAA basketball championship. He played for Ateneo de Manila which won the 1969 NCAA basketball championship.PBA career
Arnaiz became one of the original members of Toyota during his first nine seasons in the PBA. He, along with Robert JaworskiRobert Jaworski
Robert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
and Ramon Fernandez
Ramón Fernández
Ramon S. Fernandez is generally regarded as the greatest basketball player produced by the Philippine Basketball Association. Fernandez won four Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA championships bagged...
, formed the troika of the vaunted Toyota offense. During his years with the Delta Motor-owned company, they won nine PBA titles while having memorable games against arch-rival Crispa Redmanizers
Crispa Redmanizers
The Crispa Redmanizers was a basketball team in the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association , the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Amateur Basketball League from the 1960s to the early 1990s.- Profile and history :...
where he had many ferocious on and off the court battles with Bernie Fabiosa
Bernie Fabiosa
Bernard "Tough Job" Fabiosa is a Filipino athlete who played basketball for the Crispa Redmanizers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Career:Fabiosa was a member of the 1974 RP Youth Team and a graduate of the University of the East...
. Arnaiz became one of the most popular players on the team not only for his playing style, but also gained a following among the female fans due to his mestizo look.
He hit clutch baskets for Toyota during crucial moments of the game, thus the moniker "Mr. Clutch." He is known for his looping layups against imports and local behemoths that was impossible to block.
After Toyota disbanded in 1984, Arnaiz followed Jaworski in a controversial move to Gilbey's Gin (later known as Ginebra San Miguel). With him and Jaworski reliving their old backcourt partnership, they made Ginebra become a prominent contender in the PBA. However, he migrated to the United States and retired permanently in 1986 before he saw Ginebra win their first PBA title.
He is considered one of the most explosive guards in the PBA. He was a member of both the 5,000 and 10,000 points club having finished his career with a total of 10,292 points for an average of 16.8 points per game. He was also a member of the 2,000 assists club. He was the other half of the dreaded Batman and Robin tandem of Toyota, the other being Jaworski himself. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports04_may24_2005
Retirement
After his playing career, Arnaiz emigrated to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, resided in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and later worked for the United States government while also becoming an evangelist. Arnaiz claims in an interview that his life abroad was quite different from his living the fast life as a player in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
In 2000, he was named in the PBA's 25 Greatest Players List during a ceremony on April 9. His brother, Leo, received the award after Arnaiz failed to received his award due to his work commitments in the United States.
In 2004, Arnaiz made his long-awaited return to the country. He was interviewed by various media outlets recalling several memories from his playing days to his life after retirement. He was supposed to play in 2003 Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game and the 2005 TM Legends Game but failed to arrive due to his prior commitments.
Quotes
- from Rudy SaludRodrigo SaludRodrigo Salud was a commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association from 1988 to 1992 and the founding secretary-general of the World Boxing Council.-PBA Commissioner:...
, former PBA Commissioner - "He fired up the fans with his looping layup. He had that style, and looks, and movement. That fired up the fans."
- from Leo PrietoLeo PrietoLeopoldo "Leo" L. Prieto was a Filipino sports executive who served as the first Commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association...
, the first PBA Commissioner - "He was a very fast player and made some moves that were exceptional for a small player. Because of his football background, he had the legs to compete, to go over the defensive player."
- on his PBA career - "I was not like Sonny (Jaworski)Robert JaworskiRobert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
while I was still playing basketball in the PBA. I took so many things and people for granted. Despite my career records and many championships, I never tried to be the best I could be. I never gave the game my all. And that is so sad. Looking back, I realize today that championships, trophies, achievements, and records are all so temporary. Sooner or later, someone else or another team will win the same championships, break those records and win the same trophies. They are never permanent. Ultimately, what no one can take away from you is when you can say to yourself at the end of the day, win or lose that 'I did my best.'"
PBA Career Highlights
- 3-time Mythical First Team Selection (1975, 1976, 1982)
- 9-time PBA Champion (all with Toyota)
- Member, 5,000 and 10,000 points club
- Member, 2,000 assists club
Other Highlights
- Member, 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation - Philippine teamPhilippines national basketball teamThe men's national basketball team of the Philippines represents the Philippines in international basketball competitions. It is managed by its national basketball federation, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
(Champions)FIBA Asia ChampionshipThe FIBA Asia Championship for Men is a tournament which takes place every two years between teams of the continent. This is the Asian qualifying tournament for the FIBA World Championship and the Olympic basketball tournament... - Member, 1974 World Basketball Championship - Philippine teamPhilippines national basketball teamThe men's national basketball team of the Philippines represents the Philippines in international basketball competitions. It is managed by its national basketball federation, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
, Puerto Rico1974 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 1974 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Puerto Rico from July 3 to 14, 1974.-Venues:- Competing nations :- Preliminary round :-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Classification round:-Final round:...