Teddy Alfarero

Early Life and High School Career

Alfarero didn't play organized basketball until his senior year at Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School. As a boy, he was tuned into music and played cymbals in his grandfather Enrique's 30-man orchestra that performed in town fiestas and weddings. His father was a saxophonist. He learned to play the sax and trumpet. He grew to 6-1 1/2 as a high school senior and was encouraged by brother Cipriano to take up basketball.

Collegiate/Amateur Career

In 1978, Alfarero took a 12-hour boat ride from Lanao to Cebu and reported to University of the Visayas coach Jake Rojas for a tryout. Alfarero played a year for the Green Lancers then was recruited to play for La Salle in 1980, where he played for four years.

He was an alternate on the Philippine youth team under coach Turo Valenzona in 1980 and a reliever on the national squad that saw action at the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) championships in Calcutta in 1981. He joined Elmer Reyes, Ed Cordero and Franz Pumaren on the Philippine team that won the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 1981. He also took trips to Kuwait, Singapore and China to play hoops.

His most memorable experience was playing as the starting center for the Ron Jacobs-coached Philippine team that captured the Asian Youth crown in Manila in 1982. In the title game, he compiled 10 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes as the Philippines downed China, 74-63.

Professional career

In 1985, Alfarero turned pro and wore the Great Taste colors after a brief stint with Northern Cement as a PBA guest club the year before. He was then acquired by Alaska (a new franchise back then) in 1986 to be part of their inaugural roster. He went on to play for the Alaska Milkmen/Hills Bros. in a three-year pro career.

Life after PBA

When Alfarero left the PBA in 1987, he continued playing in the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL). But eventually, bigger and stronger players made him expendable. He went on to become a life insurance agent, drove a passenger jeepney and pocketed some extra cash as a star in barangay tournaments.

He also became a municipal sports coordinator in Dasmariñas, Cavite until he was fired in 1997. When he lost his job as municipal sports coordinator, he drove passengers around in a tricycle. But he gave it up after two accidents. With no regular income, he became depressed and desperate, and became an alcoholic.

Death

On May 5, 2004, Alfarero died of complications from a liver ailment at the Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dasmariñas, Cavite.