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“I’m Spartacus”
Words and Pictures by: Patricia Bermudez-Hizon (November 3, 2008)

Have you ever seen that Oscar-winning 1960s historical classic film Spartacus directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Olivier? It was a film that depicted the conquest and battles of Spartacus, a gladiator who escaped and led a grand slave revolt against Rome. Spartacus symbolizes the emancipation of the poor, of the repressed. His figure and the rebellion he led has inspired many, who have made the character of Spartacus a hero of epic proportions.

Geraldine Grey Rodriguez was with child when she watched this film over 2 decades after it was made. She was so moved that she vowed to name her child Spartacus.

23 years later, Spartacus Rodriguez, grew up to be as resilient as the gladiator and as resolute as the rebellious leader. He shares that “you’re the only person keeping you from doing anything” and believes that “you can do whatever you put your mind to if you work hard and you focus”. Life’s challenges have led him to a defining chapter, where he is called upon to help in the fight of a band of men, seeking triumph on the basketball court after three long years of being denied the crown.

Drafted third overall by Magnolia Purewater, Spartacus joins Coach Koy Banal’s squad of seasoned players such as Neil Raneses, Al Magpayo and the promising Dylan Ababou to name a few. “We want to be an aggressive type of team which will make our opponents work on both ends of the floor”, says Coach Koy, adding that “aggressiveness is the name of the game”.

This running and defensive team is glad to have a 6’4” half Filipino, half Mexican warrior who is set to leave his tight-knit family for an opportunity too great to resist. “All this is happening from nowhere” says Spart, who did not play basketball in college to concentrate on the demands of a Political Science student in San Francisco State University.

His baller resume includes playing for the St. Mary’s of Berkeley High School and contributing to the team’s State Championship run in his Sophomore year. He went on and averaged in double figures in his last two years of playing in high school, but his desire to be a lawyer someday to help “disenfranchised people in a society where everyone’s caught up to get ahead” prevailed over the desire to be a student athlete.

His passion for the sport did not falter though as he continued to play basketball and kept in shape. He got to play in Abe King’s tournament where he competed against PBA greats like Alvin Patrimonio and Ronnie Magsanoc. He was part of a squad called “Game Over” that joined Filipino leagues in the Bay Area, and it was in one of their tournaments where he was scouted and was presented a chance to come to the Philippines to play in the PBL.

Assistant coach Joel Co shared that Spartacus was “the best available during the draft”. He added that they saw tapes and saw him at the draft camp and immediately took notice of his athleticism and strength. “He gets rebounds, defends, and spreads the floor, that’s what we want from him. We need that kind of energy for the team”.

Even Assistant Coach Beaujing Acot pointed out the value of having Spart on the lineup. “He can shoot the three, he’s strong, and he’s quick”, says Acot who talked about how their new recruit can reinforce the wing and outrun his defenders. Coach Koy likened him to Harvey Carey who lacks in height for someone who plays the 4 spot, but made a good transition to be an aggressive and effective small forward.

But it’s really the rookie’s work ethics and attitude that gets the admiration of the coaching staff. “He’ll dive for the ball, and his energy and aggression rubs off on the others” says the Purewater mentor. He could’ve picked up a thing or two from his NBA favorite Dennis Rodman, and his dad Marco, who is with the Oakland Police Department. Though he’s more into baseball but passed up an opportunity to play in the major leagues, the 12 year police officer coached the young Rodriguez from 6th to 8th grade, and instilled the value of hard work and dedication.

Along with the mind-set, what’s impressive is that Spartacus likes to play above the rim. He’s a natural leaper, and Coach Koy pointed out that he wants to dunk at every opportunity, especially because it’s effortless for him.

Since he started playing organized ball back in the 6th grade, Rodriguez has been working on dunking the ball. “The dunk can change the course of the game; it can make you play better and gets the team motivated”. The dunk is the most electrifying and exciting play in basketball and Rodriguez knows that this is an important part of his repertoire on the hard court.

“My favorite dunk is the best dunk I can do which is the Windmill. I think it’s pretty dope” quipped Rodriguez. And with that, he eagerly showed his abilities with the jeering of his teammates before practice started. Coach Koy was right. “He’s got hops”.

But Spartacus himself admits that he’s got a lot of work to do, especially after seeing Kelly Williams and Nino Canaleta on YouTube, and after watching JR Reyes whose agility impressed him during a PBA game he got to watch live.

Team Manager Peter Martin said that Spartacus will play a support role for now while he’s still learning the ropes. “He’ll be an energy player who will come off the bench and will do everything he can” said the ex-pro who’s not just helping Spartacus adjust to the Filipino brand of play, but also helping him transition to his new life away from his family.

Grandma Terry Abrenica Grey who grew up in Cubao, and Grandpa Joe Grey, who is of Filipino-Scottish descent, haven’t been to the Philippines since the 70s. They’re here to support their eldest grandson who’s never set foot on their motherland. They’re enjoying rediscovering what once were familiar though they still refer to Roxas Blvd. as Dewey Ave., and EDSA as Highway 54.

Spart’s mother, Geraldine is also here, and is exerting all efforts to help her eldest settle in, before she returns to her other son, Tino who is a 21 year old celebrated Skateboarder, and her 11 year old daughter Briana who are back home in Vallejo, California.

Like any mother, she’s leaning on the values she’s instilled on Spartacus to help him with this new challenge. He’ll fight the fight with a strong moral foundation as sharp as a gladiator’s blade. She’s hoping that her son will be as determined and gritty as his name sake.

Spartacus, the epic hero, dedicated his life to fight for his people’s freedom. But despite the battles, he was captured by the Roman army. General Crassus did not know what Spartacus looked like and in his attempt to decipher the identity of the gladiator; he offered the recaptured slaves clemency in exchange for revealing their leader. Instead of turning him in, they each proclaim themselves to be Spartacus with the now famous line "I'm Spartacus!" and thus shared his fate of tortuous death. This is the "Spartacus moment", a moment of mass affirmation of fidelity and camaraderie.

Will Magnolia have such moment? Can their commitment and their brotherhood win the battle and give them the title they have been longing for? It’s not always who’s got the biggest team, it’s not always who is fastest. The fight could boil down to solidarity. The Spartacus moment.

-pbh-

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