HERE are more prominent left-handed personalities that made it big in the sports scene. In local basketball history, there have been a handful of lefty cagers from the past and present that became household names and even earned a slot on the Philippine national team.
Any Filipino hoops fan worth his salt would easily remember the exploits of the late Lawrence (Larry) Mumar, Fortunato (Atoy) Co Jr. Rodolfo (Rudy) Soriano and Marte Samson during their halcyon days in the collegiate and post-graduate ranks like the old Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA).
All once donned the national colors during the sixties and seventies. Among the current stars in the professional Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) league, the well-known southpaws include Alex Cabagnot, Yancy de Ocampo, Gabby Espinas, Willie Miller, Ian Sangalang, Mick Pennisi and Gilas team member Jeff Chan.
All the aforementioned basketball players are natural left-handers. In the case of Co, he became ambidextrous because of an accident early in his life.
Growing up in Daet, Camarines Norte, the chinky-eyed Chinese mestizo of Mapua Institute of Technology and Crispa fame broke a bone in his left hand at age seven and had a choice but to learn to shoot with his right.
“Siguro dahil sa pagkabali ng kaliwa kong kamay, hindi na ako makaasinta sa kaliwa,” recalled the 6-foot-1 Co, a one-time King Cardinal with his shooting prowess.
“Kaya nag-aral akong tumira sa kanan. Pero ang maganda roon, naging magaling ako sa parehong kamay.” Renowned for his fadeaway, turnaround jumpers, Co would dribble with his left hand and shoot with his right.
Co eventually distinguished himself as one of the most prolific shooters in PBA annals. To date, Co still ranks fourth on the PBA’s all-time scoring list, trailing only Ramon Fernandez, Alberto (Abet) Guidaben and Alvin Patrimonio.
In 14 seasons (1975-88) with Crispa, Manila Beer and Presto, he appeared in 749 games and totaled 12,994 points for a 17.3-point average.
The 62-year-old Co is entering his second season as the head coach of the Mapua Tech Cardinals in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.