7 Things You May Not Know About UST Growling Tigers Team Captain Jeric Fortuna

With his established popularity in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and in the national collegiate basketball scene, it is easy to say that this Growling Tiger is the envy of many university hoops fan boys, who lack the stellar b-ball skills. It is also easy to assume that with his boy-next-door good looks and charm, he could easily pass as any girl’s dreamboy.

But beyond his passion to play ball and his incessantly-growing female following, Jeric Fortuna, team captain and point guard of the UST Growling Tigers, is just Jeric – a young man he, himself, likes to describe as “shy-type”, who I found extremely laid back and down-to-earth.

***

It was half past two in the afternoon, and the café was overflowing with student patrons, who just came from their respective morning class parties, wishing to get a desirable dose of caffeine before partying all night long in UST’s annual grand Christmas celebration, the Paskuhan.

The scent of freshly-brewed coffee hung in the air, as Jeric Fortuna gave us that familiar coy smile of his and shook our hands, while we - a group of amateur journalists - introduced ourselves.

Clad in a black shirt and cargo shorts, the 5'7" Fortuna easily dissolved the need for formality. His relaxed aura pacified the tension looming in our heads, keeping us, pretty much, at ease all throughout the interview.

One

"Nagbasa ako ng Harry Potter books."

Jeric Fortuna isn't much of a bookworm, but just like most of the kids from the Potter generation, the 21-year-old point guard of Blackwater in PBA D-League has read about the well-loved boy wizard. And although he didn't finish the whole series (he confessed that he only read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, adding "hindi sa ayaw ko"), the first two HP books remain as the only novels he has read - so far, that is.

Two

"Mahilig ako sa math."

While a lot of students take time to curse the subject, #7 revealed that he loves Mathematics! And when asked if there's a particular branch of Maths that he likes most, he said, "Trigonometry".

Three

"Nung bata ako, gusto ko talagang maging pilot."

Reminiscing his early aspirations, the former De La Salle Zobel Junior Archer standout said that becoming a pilot was a childhood dream of his. But as it seems, the stars have a different plan for this graduating Marketing Management major. 

His short-term goal is to be drafted, and play in the professional league, which is the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). But the Jeric he pictures 20 years from now is a man with a family - wife and kids. "Basta, successful and happy."

Four

"Chocolate" (smiles)

This Tiger loves to sink his teeth into... SWEETS! Yup, Jeric Fortuna is one big sweet tooth. "Mahilig ako sa sweets eh," he admitted. "Kahit sabihin kong hindi na 'ko kakain ulit [ng sweets], pag nand'yan na, wala na." 

Jeric loves sweets so much that if all drinking fountains could dispense another liquid in addition to water he wouldn't mind drinking chocolate. 

But when it comes to his favourite food, Jeric has the Yen for Japanese dishes. He's a big fan of Japanese food, especially salmon sashimi.

Girls, take note.

Five

"In the afternoon, kahit wala sa hitsura [ko ang nagsisimba], dadaan ako sa church for a short prayer."

Jeric's typical day starts at seven in the morning, when he attends his thesis class, which ends at around 11. He then eats lunch with his team mates and a does bit of "tambay sa dorm", before heading for basketball practise, which usually runs from 1 to 4 in the afternoon. And in the evening, he gets his homework done. (Fan girl screaming and endless photo-ops not included.)

But despite his jam-packed schedule, the busy captain still finds time to pray and thank God for all the blessings he has received. He drops by the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church (better known as the UST Chapel) regularly to say a prayer of thanks.

Six

"Bading pala, noh?"

When asked who his man crush is, the very manly-looking Jeric jokingly said, "marami eh," but he named That 70's Show famed actor Ashton Kutcher as his biggest man crush.

Seven

"Yun talaga tumatak sa isip ko."

A really bad stomach ache got this fierce Tiger red on the face way back in his first grade.

"Masakit tiyan ko nun, tapos... alam nyo na," the Southville International School alumnus smiled shyly as he recounted his worst embarrassing moment. "Light green pa naman yung shorts, [tapos] nakita nung classmates ko. Yun talaga yung tumatak sa isip ko."










3 pm. Several cups of coffee served later, Jeric had been pulled out from the interview thrice by a couple of fans who wish to have a picture taken with their idol or to simply have a piece of paper signed. He kindly obliged every request.

"Stay humble" That's what this jock keeps in his mind when it comes to dealing with all the attention he gets, which he still finds flattering.

"Yung iba, biglang hahalik, pero di mo naman pwedeng layuan, kasi baka..." the university heartthrob shrugged and left the statement unfinished, but obviously, by what he meant, he didn't want to hurt his fans' feelings.

His weirdest fan encounter? "Merong isa, nagpagawa ng voice mail, tapos ginawang alarm. Parang, 'Umaga na, gumising ka na'," he said in a tone which would surely make that fangirl dream even more, instead of waking up.

And if you're wondering where the gifts - specifically, edible tokens - fans give him go, "Tinetesting ko muna sa kanya," he said, pointing his finger at fellow Growling Tiger, Kim Lo, who was being interviewed by another group from our class nearby. "Kung OK naman [at walang nangyaring masama], kakainin ko rin." he laughed.

***

Before bidding UST goodbye to embark on another whirlwind of a basketball adventure, Jeric Fortuna humbly thanks everyone who moulded him into the UST Growling Tigers team captain we know today. He is especially grateful to the university that has supported him all through his five-year stay.

"Sobrang flatter[ed] and thankful ako, dahil very supportive ang UST," he said. "Tumaas talaga level ng support ng Thomasians this year." he added, referring to the yellow pride boost of the UST community during his final year.

It is difficult to deny that many Thomasians are saddened about the soon departure of this dedicated team player, but the university’s basketball team will surely be in good hands with its incoming team captain and current co-captain, Jeric Teng, whom Fortuna is very much confident with.

"Pinapakita niyang he works hard - even after practise, he does extra. He's also very vocal [about our flaws]. Tinitignan niya talaga yung team. And at the same time, he's a good example [to his team mates]."

Jeric also expressed his sincerest gratitude to UST Growling Tigers coach, Pido Jarencio, who gave him the opportunity to play college basketball. "Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay Coach Pido."

And, if there is one thing he wants the Thomasians to remember him for after he leaves, the graduating team captain said that he wants the Thomasian community to see that, "I did my best."

Well, by taking UST all the way to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) finals, and  helping the university bag her first Philippine Collegiate Championships League (PCCL) crown last year, indeed, this Tiger has proven to all of us that he has done his best.


PHOTOS Ranberg Abu and Janelle Cosino


♥Andz