BANKSTOWN Bruins point-guard Mark Franco became the first player to join the Red Eagles of the newly-formed Filipino Australian Basketball (FAB) Inc. The team play a trial game in a curtain-raiser of the Sydney Kings’ main game on Sunday, October 27, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
FAB, officially established in August 2013, has launched a recruiting program for an initial three-aged team association.
FAB President Marco Selorio (right) said Inthe Red Eagles will initially comprise an Under-16, an Under-18, and an Open side. “The game between a ‘Reds’ team and a ‘Blues’ team of the Red Eagles will be an open match to serve as a trial for selection,” Selorio said.
Franco, 23, has been playing for the Bruins’ in the Australian Basketball Association’s Waratah League. He went to Westfield Sports high school for basketball and gained selection in the Opens team in Year 9.
The Hills Hornets Under-16s for which Franco played went undefeated in 2005 and captured the championship. He was named Most Valuable Player.
Franco was also selected for the Under-16 NSW state team and joined the National Intensive Training Centre Program for three years.
Franco’s family moved to the Philippines in 2007 and Mark took a basketball scholarship at La Salle Green Hills. On graduating, he was offered a basketball scholarship by the University of Santo Tomas, but the family decided to return to Sydney instead.
Back in Sydney, Franco played Youth League for Bankstown Bruins. In his second year, he was named in the All-Star 5 and the Most Valuable Player in 2011.