HE’S the year’s top Draft pick, a multi-millionaire at the tender age of 23, and with a bright
future beckoning upon him as a rising star in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Yet not even all those wealth and fame would prevent Severino ‘Nonoy’ Baclao from going through
his daily chores as a graduating student at the Ateneo De Manila, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in
Inter-Disciplinary studies.

Playing professional ball and studying at the same time is no easy task, but for someone given that
rare opportunity to do so, Baclao said everything is all worth it.

“Mahirap. Nakakapagod din,” said the 6-foot-5 power-forward selected as the No. 1 overall pick
by Air21 in the 2010 PBA Annual Draft.

Baclao had to juggle his time attending to his daily morning classes at Ateneo, the same school he
helped steer to back-to-back UAAP titles during his three-year stint as a Blue Eagle, and doing
rigid practice with the Express afterwards.

But he’s not complaining, especially now that he’s just a few units away from graduating in one
of the prestigious universities in the country.

“Hopefully, by March maka-graduate na ako. Iba na rin siyempre yung may tinapos ka,” he said.
“Sayang din naman kasi. Sobrang privileged ko na nga na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na
makapag-aral sa isang school tulad ng Ateneo. Mismong `yung mga alumni ang nag-e-encourage sa akin
na tapusin ko yung pag-aaral ko.

“Kailangan lang talaga sacrifice.”

Sacrifice. That’s what Nonoy has been doing all his life.

Admitting he came from a less fortunate family, his father being a foreman and mother a simple
housewife, Baclao said he took up basketball in the belief it will help him provide a better life to
his folks.

Never mind that he once quit playing the game after constantly suffering injuries and wounds as a
youngster.

“Aminado naman ako na yung basketball ang siyang naging stepping stone ko para mapabuti ang
kabuhayan ng pamilya ko,” said Baclao, who played secondary and a few years of college ball at the
West Negros University in Bacolod.

“Mahirap lang naman kami, at kung hindi dahil sa basketball, hindi ko mararating kung anuman ang
tinatamasa ko ngayon.”

It was in 2005 that he eventually got the biggest break of his career when Ateneo coach Norman
Black saw him play in the National University Games (Unigames) in Bacolod and offered him a slot in
the Blue Eagles roster.

“Nung unang sinabi sa akin ni Mr. Tony Carlo Agustin (who later would become his manager) na
‘they’re (Ateneo) trying to recruit you,’ parang hindi ako makapaniwala. Kasi, siyempre Ateneo
yan,” he recalled.

But the offer was for real. And soon after, Baclao found himself donning the blue and white jerseys
of the Eagles and won two championships with them including the 2008 season when he emerged as the
MVP of the Finals.

Baclao would establish himself as a fine defensive player, the blue collar worker who does the
rebounding and blocking shots, while holding the daunting task of defending the best player of their
opponent.

“Mas kumportable akong maglaro ng depensa. Mas gusto ko ito, kasi sa basketball, lahat talaga
gusto mag-opensa,” said Baclao, whose basketball idols include top defensive players Kevin
Garnett, Rudy Hatfield, Kerby Raymundo and Danny Ildefonso.

Defense indeed, is becoming Baclao’s staple in the PBA. Already he is the top shot block artist
in the ongoing Philippine Cup and co-holds the season-high record for most block shots in this
conference with six together with Barako Bull’s Mark Andaya.

And he’s bound to get even better as the season progresses and yes, when classes are finally over
for him.