VALENZONA SEARCHES FOR BIG MEN
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 27 Sep 2015
An ambitious program in search of big men from among the poor youth will soon unfurl in Manila and, hopefully, nationwide.
Olympian Arturo Valenzona disclosed that he and fellow former players, coaches and basketball gurus are ready to launch the program in the hope of discovering and developing tall boys that can be developed to become big-time campaigners in the amateur and professional leagues and, eventually, carry the country's colors in international competitions.
"Nagbuo na ako ng team that is now completing a study on the matter and maybe in the next few weeks, baka magsimiula na kami," Valenzona, a member of the Philippine team that competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic qualifying tournament in Yokohama, Japan told this writer in a chance meeting the other day.
The program, to be called "Big men's Camp" and will be held under the aegis of the Arturo Valenzona Foundation will be opened free to those interested, especially among the poor boys and girls of Manila and adjacent cities and municipalities.
"Libre ang camp para sa mga mahihirap nating mga kabataan, who cannot afford to enroll in the already existing basketball clinics because they lack money," Valenzona, one of only two Filipino coaches who had completed the circle of handling and winning championships in collegiate, commercial (amateur) and professional leagues, relayed.
"This, actually, is a product of my going around almost the entire country where people suggested to me why not hold thi kind ofx clinic for free," he recalled. "Naisip ko nga, eh hindi naman lahat ng mga naging magagaling na player natin ay galing sa mga may pera, di ba?"
"The plan is for big men, pero puede rin yung hindi naman kalakihan. May mga magtuturo din naman na point guard, forward. Grassroots-oriented naman ang program na pinaplano namin," Valenzona, who helped Far Eastern University to th UAAP title conquest for time and a member of the Yco Painters under the late coach Leo Prieto to seven consecutive National Open championships while an amateur, said.
"As of now, dito muna sa Metro Manila kami magko-concentrate.. Kapag naging successful, baka ma-expand sa mga probinsya kung saan nandoon ang mga matatanagkad nating mga kababayan," he said.
Valenzona can also be remembered as to have fashioned out a first five-peat in the NCAA while coaching the San Sebastian Stags. As coach in the amateur ranks, he handled the Tamaraws, Apcor, Pop Cola and Solid Mills to several title victories.
He mentored Tanduay Rhum to three PBA championships and Gilbeys Gin to three runner up finishes.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 2026