Former Pros: Naning Valenciano

Ludovico Valenciano known as "Naning" to his friends left an imprint as one of the most deadly shooters to grace PBA hardcourt in the 1980s. Naning’s presence on the hardcourt jazzes up the performance of any team he’s played for. In fact, his shooting arm sings a song of doom for the opposing team. He hits his target with flawless accuracy.

Naning, born December 28, 1963, is the fifth of six kids of Ludovico Sr. and the former Trinidad Imperial. The 6-1 forward grew up in Victorias, Negros Occidental. He started out as a football player at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Victorias.

“I was a forward during my elementary days. The brothers and fathers of Don Bosco taught me, as well as the rest of the other youngsters, the fundamentals of football. Alam mo naman, religious institution yan. When we were small, we practically did everything together. We, the brothers and the fathers, prayed, played and stayed together. They say that playing is one way of staying away from sin and become a good Christian. I loved football. In fact, from first to fourth year high, I was still an active football player.”

But times changed. Naning grew taller. He shifted to basketball. When he was in his senior high school year, he became a regular member of the Bosconian quintet coached by Father Espelleta.

After hiqh school, he went to La Salle Bacolod. He was sixteen then. He only played for one semester for DLS-Bacolod under Tony Gaston. Then Lito Lacson brought him to Manila and recommended him to Ambassador Danding Cojuangco. He immediately started playing for the Green Archers of Manila.

“When I was younger, I wanted to become a priest. When I came in Manila, wala na. I decided to take up Civil Engineering. I consider myself good at figures. That’s because Don Bosco specializes in Math.”

In 1982, Naning was an alternate to the RP Youth squad that regained the title from China during the Seventh Asian Youth Basketball Championship held in Manila. Naning wasn’t really given the chance to show his wares. In fact, it was Alfie Almario who wowed the crowd with his shooting prowess. Naning just sat it out. But just the same, he was just as happy as the rest of the boys when victory finally came.

In 1983, Naning started making waves. He was hailed Most Valuable Player of the PABL after leading DLSU coached by Ron Jacobs to the PABL title at the expense of Masagana. His performance was enough to make basketball critics notice of Naning. Soon enough, nobody contested his inclusion in the Hongkong ABC-bound RP squad.

In 1986, Naning Valenciano took his acts to the PBA where he was drafted by Alaska in the second round of the PBA draft. His shooting prowess was his main ticket to a PBA job, lasting 11 seasons in the league, averaging 8.4 ppg in a total of 461 contests. Aside from Alaska, he also saw action for Purefoods, Pepsi and Sta. Lucia.