Behind the NUMBERS
It always signifies something special like birthdays, anniversaries or lucky combinations as these numbers serve as their identities inside the court.
For athletes, jersey numbers are more than just figures.
It always signifies something special like birthdays, anniversaries or lucky combinations as these numbers serve as their identities inside the court.
Back in the day, the most popular jersey number was No. 6 of Julius Erving. Then, the jersey No. 32 of Magic Johnson surfaced followed by No. 23 of Michael Jordan. Before the end of the 1990s, the most popular jersey numbers were No. 1 of Anfernee Hardaway, No. 91 of Dennis Rodman and, of course, the No. 33 of Grant Hill.
In the Philippines, the go-to-numbers of young ballers were the No. 12 of Vince Hizon, No. 16 of Alvin Patrimonio, No. 9 of Samboy Lim and No. 18 of Vergel Meneses.
Here are the stories behind the jersey numbers of your favorite athletes.
MARK BARROCA
No. 14 Magnolia
During his college days and tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas, Mark Barroca had always been using jersey No. 4.
But when Magnolia drafted him n 2011, veteran Rafi Reavis was already using jersey No. 4, leaving him with no choice but to pick a new number. His solution? Combine No. 4 with the number of his childhood hero in Bal David, No. 1, to come up with jersey No. 14.
Problem solved.
RACHEL ANNE DAQUIS
No. 13 Cignal HD
Jersey No. 13 has always been synonymous to Rachel Anne Daquis.
For the past 12 years, the comely spiker from Far Eastern University has been rocking what is considered as the unluckiest, most disdain number in numerology.
Still, Daquis loves it.
The reason was simple: She was born on 13 December.
No deeper meaning involved or explanation needed.
KIEFER RAVENA
No. 15 NLEX
Speaking of having no deeper meaning, Kiefer Ravena also couldn’t explain the wisdom behind his jersey No. 15.
The cat-quick NLEX playmaker said when he was a grade school at La Salle Green Hills, the team ran out of number and the coach simply gave him the last pick — No. 15. He gladly accepted the number and rocked it until he won numerous titles in high school and college. Though he wore No. 4 during his previous international assignments, the No. 15 would always occupy a special place in his closet.
TERRENCE ROMEO
No. 7
San Miguel Beer
Contrary to Daquis and Ravena, there’s a deeper reason why Terrence Romeo opted to use jersey No. 7. The San Miguel playmaker said No. 7 has been the number of his father, William, who had been wanting to play in the Philippine Basketball Association but wasn’t given the chance.
Now, he is using it in recognition to the sacrifices of his father and his botched dream of playing in the major league.
ABY MARAÑO
No. 2 F2 Logistics
We’ve already heard the stories of some of the game’s best athletes behind their respective jersey numbers, but Aby Maraño’s reason for picking No. 2 is probably the strangest — and corniest as well.
She said when she was in high school at the Don Antonio Zuzuarregui Sr. Memorial High School, she had a childhood sweetheart and their monthsary was every second day of the month.
She used that number when she played in the Palarong Pambansa until she competed in La Salle and the Philippine Superliga, where she won a handful of titles.
Now, the question is: What happened to Maraño’s childhood sweetheart?
Only she can answer that.