Announcements and Advisories

Arnold "Balat" Rodriguez: A Birthmark in the PUP Championship Tradition

02/01/2013 Information Broadcast

Filipinos have several superstitious beliefs about balat or birthmark. The most insane about it is it brings mishaps, accident, and bad luck.

When we first saw Arnold “Balat” Rodriguez, a coin-sized birthmark on his right jaw is very apparent. He was introduced to us by the PUP men’s basketball coach Jodel Palcampara and Assistant Coach Toto Machado at the gazebo near the quarters of the PUP basketball team. The two coaches mentioned that Balat was a former teammate and a good friend.

Young Balat began his stint in basketball when he was a student of Antonio Maceda Integrated School. A native of Sampaloc, Balat passed the PUP College Entrance Test in 1987 and started in PUP in the same year. He took civil engineering and became a classmate of Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, now PUP Vice President for Research, Extension, Planning and Development.

Balat’s PUP basketball career started when he took part in the PUP Intramurals in college. His athletic ability and potentials were spotted by the late PUP Coach Jimmy Martirez, brother of former PBA player and comedian and now Pasig City Vice Mayor Yoyong Martirez.

Balat agreed to play for the PUP basketball team and mentioned how this became a turning point his student life. His approach to basketball apparently improved under coach Jay Mar. He mentioned: “Iba talaga [ang] naging laro ko, kasi ‘yung nilalaruan ko puro liga lang sa kalye sa may Sampaloc. Dito may mga drills, conditioning saka yung skills mo nai-improve. Isa pa, kailangan gumising ka ng maaga, kaya iba naging epekto sa’kin nung naging player ako.”

He graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1992. For years, he played for his school, the PUP fold was invincible in the SCUAA Games, a lasting legacy of the late PUP President Dr. Nemesio E. Prudente’s.

Under the tutelage and guidance of their coach Jay Mar, most of the members of the PUP basketball team became successful in their own professional endeavors and basketball careers.

Balat observed some changes, particularly in players’ approaches and attitudes. He said that nowadays, most athletes focus on their academics which is a good thing. According to him, “Now, kelangan talaga may fall back ka. Hindi naman natin masasabi na porke varsity tayo yun na rin magiging propesyon natin.”

He also witnessed how ‘coachable’ our athletes are, giving commendation to the coaches and officials who handle the PUP sports program.

After his career with the PUP Mighty Maroons, he got a call to play in several basketball clubs in the country like RFM, Wilkins Distilled Water, Doctor J Alcohol, and Ana Water Dispenser. His basketball career achieved a meteoric rise when he was hailed Most Valuable Player and Champion in the 1997 season of Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

With his decorated amateur career in PBL, he joined the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft in 1999. He was with the strong and popular batch of PBA draftees like Asi Taulava (Mobiline), Danny Seigle (San Miguel), and Sonny Alvarado (Tanduay). He was then known as Arnold “Buboy” Rodriguez and was drafted in Shell by Coach Perry Ronquillo. The drafting ceremony was a moment of pride for PUP because that was the first time that PUP flashed on the TV screen upon his draft. He became part of Turbo Chargers roster together with PBA 25^th season MVP Benjie Paras, Vic Pablo, Chris Jackson, Gerry Esplana, and Noy Castillo.

With the team core and second stringers that include Balat/Buboy, their team won the All Filipino Cup Trophy against the young and returning Tanduay team of Sonny Alvarado, Eric Menk, and Jason Webb.

Rodriguez played for two PBA seasons from 1999-2000 for Shell.  After his successful career in the pro league, he received contracts to play for the Socksargen Marlins and Cebu Gems in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).

He retired playing for pro league until he got a chance to work and also play basketball in the Middle East. With his success stories, memories and life lessons, Balat reminds PUP athletes the importance of “Triple D”: determination, dedication, and discipline.