Fonacier Bids Blue and White Goodbye

(Editor’s Note: Larry Fonacier (GS ’96 HS ‘2000, AB IS 2004), the Ateneo Blue Eagles star forward abruptly ended his playing days with the Blue Eagles after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The accident occurred during a game against the University of the Philippines in the first round of last year’s 67th season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP). After undergoing surgery and months of grueling rehabilitation, fully recovered, Larry’s back! On 14 August, he was drafted by the Red Bulls Barako team of the Philippine Basketball Association, joining former Blue Eagles teammate Enrico Villanueva and Paolo Bugia. The former Hail Mary Squad captain earned the moniker “King Eagle” for being a clutch shooter, versatile high-flier, sound defender, and the man with the blocks. A member of the Ateneo team that captured the UAAP championship in 2002, he was a key factor to that sweet victory after 14 winless years. Fonacier was voted UAAP Juniors Rookie of the Year (1998-1999) and MVP (1999-2000) when he was with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets. With a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Ateneo tucked under his belt, and uncommon athletic prowess to boot, he will always be an inspiration to other student-athletes. At the threshold of his new career in the professional league, he wrote a letter to Ateneo de Manila University President Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J., a copy of which we are posting.
From the Ateneo community, thank you and may the Lord keep you always, Larry!)


August 11, 2005


Father Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J.
President, Ateneo de Manila University
Quezon City

Dear Fr. Nebres:

It has been one year since my knee injury that ended my basketball playing days in Ateneo. I truly admit that said year was the most trying time of my life as I had to endure the physical pain and the feelings of frustration and helplessness of not being able to help the team. But on the other hand, I greatly rejoice in my injury because the Lord’s presence in my life has never been strongly felt as I totally and completely surrendered myself to Him for comfort, reassurance, and healing. Though my days were filled with pain and distress, they paled in comparison to His promise of hope and restoration that I see today. I choose to thank God for my injury, which I refer to as a thorn in my flesh, for Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

As I leave and bid Ateneo goodbye, my alma mater for the last sixteen years, to embark on a professional basketball career, I would like to thank you very much Fr. Ben and the Ateneo de Manila University for mentoring and molding me foremost as a student, athlete, and for the person that I am today.

My most profound thanks and appreciation to special people for their love and affection go to Fr. Tito Caluag for his nurture of the team and for his prayers that helped me grow spiritually, to Mr. Manny Pangilinan for his love of the game and unending support to the basketball team, to Maam Chita Rosales and Fr. Nemy Que for their academic guidance and wise counsel, to Mr. Monchito Mossessgeld for always being there for me not only on court but in all my hospital stays, and to all my academic advisers who have been compassionate enough to help me as a student-athlete.

I will forever be indebted to my coaches: Jun Bautista, Francis Ansay, Danny Vitan, Veegee Natividad, Sonny Borja, Chicoy Alvarez, Mike Reyes, Brando Cristi, Sandy Arespacochaga, Jamike Jarin, Joe Lipa, Ricky Dandan, Gene Afable, Joel Banal, Bobby Marquicia, Bogs Adornado, Norman Black, Gabby Severino, Jon Jacinto – to all of you my appreciation for graciously sharing and imparting your knowledge of the game that helped me become the player that I am today. More importantly, thank you for building my character and discipline in ways one can only learn on a basketball court.



To all my teammates with whom I shared the frustration of losing and the joy of winning. I learned that in the end, our time spent together was more than winning a championship itself. Thank you very much.

No amount of words can express my gratitude to Dr. George Canlas for repairing my knee and to the equally competent physical therapists of the Moro Lorenzo Sports Complex and its staff, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for me to stand up and play again.

To all my friends in the Ateneo community, thank you for the outpouring of your generosity, love, and support when you filled my home with prayers, food, flowers, get-well messages, inspirational books, videos and all sorts of gifts during my recuperation.

And to all the supporters and alumni who tirelessly watch the basketball games, win or lose, thank you so much for making my basketball years as an Atenean a blessed journey I will never forget and forever cherish.

To God be the honor and glory.


Sincerely,


Larry Alexander N. Fonacier