Francis Arnaiz

Infobox NBA Player
caption =


position = Guard
height_ft = 5
height_in = 10
weight_lb = 192
salary =
team = Toyota Super Corollas, Ginebra San Miguel
nationality = Philippines
birth_date = Birth date and age|1951|6|4|mf=y
birth_place = Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
college = Ateneo de Manila University
career_start = 1975
career_end = 1986

Francis Arnaiz is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for Toyota and Ginebra San Miguel from 1975-1986. He was also a former member of the Philippine national basketball team during the 1970s while playing for the Ateneo de Manila University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

PBA career

Arnaiz became one of the original members of Toyota during his first nine seasons in the PBA. He, along with Robert Jaworski 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 monicker "Mr. Clutch". He is known for his looping layups against American 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 shooting 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 ppg. 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 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 back at 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 Salud, 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 Prieto, 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) 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 & 10,000 points club
*Member, 2,000 assists club

Other Highlights

*Member, 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation - Philippine team (Champions)
*Member, 1974 World Basketball Championship - Philippine team, Puerto Rico

External links

* [http://www.cbnasia.org/700club/francis_arnaiz1.htm Former Superstar Francis Arnaiz on the 700 Club Asia]
* [http://www.inq7.net/spo/2004/mar/19/spo_7-1.htm 'Mr. Clutch' may just stay for good]
*http://www.geocities.com/maong69/pba.arnaiz.html
*http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/8541/philbas.1973abc.html
*http://www.teenfad.ph/news/archives/why25.htm
*http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/8541/philbas.players_a.html
*http://www.turbochargers-pba.com/news123104.shtml