BASKETBALL has always been a family affair for the Fransman clan.
Through childhood and now in the UAAP, Adamson first-year player AJ Fransman has never been alone in his sporting journey, as his younger brother Aurelio was always side-by-side with him.
The brotherly bond they share off the court was made much tighter by the ultimate dream of making it big in basketball’s grandest stages.
Birds of a feather
From the streets of San Pedro, Laguna, the Fransman brothers both took their talents to San Marcelino, albeit in different stages.
Aurelio is part of the Baby Falcons, while AJ has made quite the name for himself early in the seniors ranks as one of the Soaring Falcons’ go-to guys.
And as their respective Season 87 campaigns have proven to be a struggle, AJ gave new life to what was already a fading Final Four pursuit with 14 points and nine assists on a skid-busting 45-37 win over University of the East.
READ: Adamson brings down UE to breathe life into playoff hopes
With that, the versatile wing out of Mapua's averages of 7.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in his first season in blue-and-white are sure to tick up.
Aurelio hasn't been a slouch, either.
While the Baby Falcons are far from the playoff picture at 2-7, his norms of 4.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists remain key in their competitiveness.
And if there’s anything AJ realized about how he can be of help to his younger brother’s budding career, it’ll be, as always, leading by example.
“‘Yung kapatid ko, si Aurelio, sa totoo lang, sobrang idol ako niyan sa lahat ng bagay, as in. Sa lahat ng meron ako, parang gusto niya, same kami — mga design (ng damit o sapatos), mga ganyan,” Fransman said.
“Alam kong nilu-look up niya ako, so ako naman bilang kuya, gina-guide ko siya at alam kong kailangan kong mag-lead by example.”
Cleared for takeoff
Young as they both still are, the Fransmans - or should it be Fransmen - understand how important it’ll be to own and embrace the biggest of moments as they come.
As AJ puts it, “I always bet on myself talaga. Since nung sa province pa ako [sa Bohol], sinisikap kong maabot ‘yung mga gusto kong maabot at ma-achieve ko talaga yung gusto kong ma-achieve.
“Basta magwo-work lang ako and mag-prepare lang ako sa mga [big moments]. More on always preparing lang ako lagi."
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