Sometimes, dreams and second chances go hand in hand. You might not become what you initially planned, get redirected somewhere else, struggle to find your footing, and then ultimately find fulfillment in that original dream.
This was exactly the case for Gab Francisco in his UAAP career after graduating from Sta. Elena High School in Marikina City.
Marikina — a haven for baseball enthusiasts thanks to the Sto. Niño Ballpark, where both the National University and Ateneo de Manila University squads trained during the early post-pandemic years — was where the young Francisco first seized his opportunity: with the NU Bulldogs.
“Ang gusto ko talagang college nung senior high school pa ko is NU, kasi nagte-training na ko sa NU since that time. Nag-training rin kasi before ‘yung NU sa Sto. Niño. So, it’s either (with) Ateneo or NU ako mag-train kasi ‘yung training nila magkasunod lang,” recalled the now-21-year-old hitter.
“Yung Ateneo, ‘yung training nila sobrang maaga. And ako, gusto ko talaga mag-NU kasi hindi naman ako gano’ng katalinuhang tao; kaya do’n ako sa kaya kong ipasa.”
Gab’s father, Ernesto — affectionately known as Ka Eto — had his own thoughts when Ateneo program head Randy Dizer called to ask about Gab’s college plans. In jest, he replied, “Sa inyo.”
The rest, as they say, was history. The Franciscos honored those words, even if they were originally spoken as a joke.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Gab delivered an impressive rookie season for the Blue Eagles, helping them reach the Final Four in Season 86 as the third seed, including an elimination round sweep of the very NU Bulldogs squad he once dreamed of joining.
However, Amiel De Guzman and the rest of the NU team’s destiny could not be denied, as they went on to capture their long-awaited championship.
Through it all, Gab remained grateful, absorbing every lesson from his first year in the UAAP.
“Yung experience ko with Ateneo is maganda, kasi hindi biro ‘yon eh, UAAP pa rin ‘yun eh. Hindi ko man nakuha ‘yung Rookie of the Year; nakatulong naman ako sa team,” he shared.
Academically, however, things did not go as planned for Francisco at Ateneo. Aware of the situation, and despite continuing to play for the Blue Eagles in the Liga Baseball Philippines, it was his father who coordinated with NU manager Wopsy Zamora and head coach Romar Landicho about a potential transfer.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nung natanggal ako sa Ateneo, hindi siya in vain para sa‘kin. Naging motivation siya sa akin, kasi since bumagsak ako, kailangan kong pumukpok ng training. Nag-antay ako ng one year ng residency para sa comeback season,” the Marikina pride shared.
“Hindi naman siya stepping stone, pero ‘yung Ateneo ay nakatulong sa akin para ma-lift uli ‘yung sarili ko as a player.”
Now playing and studying at his dream school, Francisco feels determined not to waste this second chance in the UAAP.
“Siyempre masaya na nakalaro na ‘ko. Parang nawala ‘yung strain ko sa katawan kasi finally ito na, hindi ko na papalagpasin ‘to,” Francisco exclaimed.
“Wala akong ibang personal goal; ang gusto ko lang is makamit ng team ‘yung three-peat. Ayon lang naman ‘yung goal ko as part ng team, makatulong lang rin sa team. Yung individual awards darating ‘yon eh, kaya ang mindset ko tulungan ko ‘yung team, and gawin ko lang ‘yung role ko as a player.”
