44 Facts About Jerry Codiñera on his 44th Birthday!

Jerry Codiñera was my first basketball icon. I started loving basketball because of him. And for sure I'm not the only one who admire this guy. Aside from his talent in playing hoops with his medium-range jumpers, his hook shots, his rebounds, blocks and defensive stance, he definitely was one of the cutest guy in the league. He's like Rico Yan with his dimple in a more mature way. And add to the fact that he was one of those basketball stars turned actors in their time, even though the acting was not that good (it's really funny though - grin), he really made a big impact to the basketball fans especially girls.I miss Jerry a lot. I wish I was watching live basketball back then when I was 12, he would have hear me cheer so loudly for him. Though I was able to cheer him still during his stint with FedEx and I guess he probably recognized me (and my friend Geraldine) because we really make it a point to take a picture with him, cheer for him even he's up against our team Purefoods, and talk to him whenever possible.

As a tribute to him, I compiled some facts I know about him.This is only to the extent of my knowledge, from magazines, newspaper clippings and the like that I've collected. Some were for sure accurate (I guess specially the stats because it was from the PBA Annual), but some, I really am not sure. Hahaha! Here it goes!

1. Real name is Jerry Herman Codiñera
2. Born November 14, 1966
3. Monicker Defense Minister
4. Year entered PBA - 1988 Purefoods
5. College: University of the East
6. 9-times All-Defensive Team Member
7. Holds the record for most shot blocks in a game with 11
8. Movies: Last Two Minute and Tasya Fantasya both with Alvin Patrimonio and Bong Alvarez
9. PBA Teams: Purefoods, Mobiline and FedEx
10. Total Points: 10,868 points - 4,362 2-pts., 17 - 3-pts., 2,093 fts.
11. Total Rebounds: 7,034 - 4,623 Defensive rebounds 2,411 Offensive rebounds
12. Total Blocks: 1,221
13. Seasons played in the PBA: 17 seasons 1988 - 2005
14. 5 Championships with Purefoods: 1990 3rd Conference, 1991 AFC, 1993 AFC, 1994 Commissioner's Cup, 1997 AFC
15. 1st ever recipient of Best Player of the Conference Award started 1994 in All-Filipino Cup
16. 2 Best Player of the Conference: 1994 AFC, 1998 Governor's Cup
17. Total Steals: 342
18. Number 1 in Offensive Rebounds in the league with total of 2,411
19. Number 4 for most minutes played with 29,667:00 minutes
20. 1994 PBA Press Corps Defensive Player of the Year
21. 5-times member of Mythical Second Team
22. 3-times member of Mythical First Team
23. 1994 and 1996 Sportsmanship Awardee
24. Most shot blocks in 1992 with 121 blocks and in 1993 with 112 blocks
25. 11-times All-Star Game Participant
26. 2 brothers in the PBA: Harmon and Pat
27. Career Averages: 17 season, 871 games, 12.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 1.4 bpg.
28. July 9, 1999: Codiñera was sent to Mobiline in exchange of Andy Seigle
29. Listed height: 197 cm. Listed weight: 100 kg.
30. Member 10,000 points - April 1, 2001 (Mobiline vs Shell)
31. Member 5,000 points - April 8, 1994 (Coney Island vs Sta.Lucia)
32. Member 2,000 defensive rebounds - August 1, 1993 (Purefoods vs Swift)
33. Member 2,000 offensive rebounds - July 23, 2000 (Purefoods vs Alaska)
34. Member 1,000 offensive rebounds - August 13, 1993 (Purefoods vs Shell)
35. Most defensive rebounds in 1993 with 443 rebounds
36. Most offensive rebounds in 1993 with 237 rebounds
37. Most total rebounds in 1991 with 551, 1992 with 585 and 1993 with 680
38. Number 8 in All Time most free throws made with 2,093 points.
39. 74.1 Free throw percentage 2,093 made out of 2,826 attempts
40. Member PBA's 25 Greatest Player
41. 1994 RP Team member
42. Coaching Careers: FedEx, Teletech (PBL), UP Maroons (UAAP)
43. Father's name: Boy Codiñera - Baseball Legend
44. Father to Matisse and Manu
45. Wife's name is Jean.

Happy Birthday Jerry! You will always be in our hearts! God bless you!

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