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Achtung Babies
by: Patricia Bermudez-Hizon (April
17, 2009)
Maierhoffer and Knuttel. Family names
that are about as common as a solar eclipse, at least
here in the Philippines. But in the amateur basketball
world, these names are about as known or as common as
a jeepney stopping in the middle of the road to drop
off and pick up passengers right beside a no loading
and unloading sign.
Rico Maierhoffer of course is no stranger
to Pinoy basketball fanatics. He’s either adored
like a demi-god in green or abhorred. He’s a talented
basketball player who is one of the most exciting prospects
in the upcoming pro draft and the future looks bright
for the 6’5’ versatile, sweet-shooting,
aggressive, and smart big man from the proud De La Salle
University.
Jens (‘yens’) Knuttel only
has two years of college ball under his belt in the
distinguished Far Easter University talent pool but
he’s branding himself as an intense, intelligent,
speedy point guard. This is his PBL debut after being
a back-up, practice point to Boyet Bautista in Harbour
Center’s 6th championship run. Now he’s
being given a chance to showcase his wares and be part
of the new Oracle Titans tradition.
Rico and Jens have a lot more in common
than just exotic last names, basketball skills, and
a future in the this sport. They’re both half-German,
both are not from Manila, both didn’t start in
basketball, and both come from BIG families. Here’s
the lowdown.
The Knuttels are from Zamboanga. Deiter,
now a retired service man at 73 years of age, started
his family with Vizminda Baylon, 45, now a retired nurse,
in Germany where the first few children were born. Jens
is the fourth of 7, yes S-E-V-E-N kids. The eldest is
27, while the youngest was born just 5 years ago. They
migrated from Heidelberg Germany, to the Latin city
of Zamboanga when Jens was 2 years old, 17 years ago.
Jens started out playing soccer, and even
played for his school. He also dabbled in a multitude
of other sports, but when he got influenced by friends
to join a summer clinic, all his energy was directed
to the point of obsession to basketball. “Basketball
is my life, I can’t live without it. When I wake
up in the morning, before I sleep, all I think about
is basketball. Sometimes I even forget to eat”,
admitted the light brown-haired 5’9” project.
It all started when he joined the Palarong
Pambansa where the San Beda coaches took interest in
him. Unfortunately, he got edged out by another prospect
who fit their system better, so he missed out. But he
was recommended to then FEU-FERN Coaching staff which
included the hard working, dedicated, handsome, smart
(he’s a friend hence the bias) Potit De Vera.
He showed enough promise for FERN to process his transfer
from Ateneo de Zamboanga to Manila. Soon after, FEU
FERN made it to the finals but saw the Ateneo Juniors
on the Champion’s podium.
“Basketball changed my life and
made me independent” said Jens, who’s been
living in Manila, away from his family for 4 years now.
One of his unforgettable experiences here was his first
birthday away from home, where Coach Potit and his wife,
who didn’t have children at that time, took him
out and treated him like their own.
The Maeirhofers have a pretty similar
set up as the Knuttels. Originally from Gratz, Germany,
Rudolf Paul who is now in his 70s, met Elenita Galenzoga,
who is now in her 40s, in the Philippines and had their
first born, Paul Rico. Apart from keeping a family with
7, yes S-E-V-E-N kids (well, going on 7), they also
are the proud owners of the Tropicana Castle Resort
in the fun and fabulous stomping grounds of Puerto Galera,
MIndoro.
Rico didn’t get started in basketball
either. Many already know how he played for the Puerto
Galera Academy volleyball team before coming to Manila
on a whim with his mother, not even knowing if La Salle
had practice to see if he can try out. As fate would
have it, that chance they took led them to Coach Franz
Pumaren, who was actually running the ICTSI-DLSU practice
at that time. He was all too eager to take in a walk
in with that height, with hops, and with so much potential.
“Being under Coach Franz is an
honor for me. He helped me from the beginning nung wala
akong masyadong alam sa basketball”, beamed Rico
who sees Franz as more than just a coach, but a true
mentor, almost like a father. He also shares the same
sentiments when talking about La Salle and how it’s
been such a privilege to be part of a great and supportive
community.
With very similar backgrounds and goals
in life, it’s no surprise that Rico and Jens get
along famously. Watching them in practice and seeing
them even on the bench shows how fun their friendship
is. (keep an eye out for their high-fives when one of
them goes back to the bench)
“Jens is like a little brother.
We have the same roots, parehong makulit, funny, parating
enjoy, pero pareho din kaming hardworking” shared
Rico.
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