Francis Arnaiz

Early basketball years

Even as a young child, Francis Arnaiz was already practicing his shooting, using stuffed toys as basketballs. At La Salle-Bacolod, he played both football and basketball, and the speed and footwork he gained from football helped him become a better basketball player. He later led St. Clement's Academy to a PRISAA title.

In college, he was a rookie on the Ateneo de Manila team that won the 1969 NCAA championship. His MICAA career began in 1971 with Meralco, followed by U/Tex, and then Toyota in 1973. Arnaiz also played for the Philippine national squad that captured the 1973 ABC Championship and went to the 1974 FIBA World Championship.

PBA career

Arnaiz was an original member of the Toyota franchise when it joined the PBA in 1975. Along with Robert Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez, he formed the troika of Toyota's offense. Media covering the PBA named him Basketball Player of the Year in 1975, though Bogs Adornado was the official PBA MVP that season. Toyota won nine PBA titles during his tenure, with memorable battles against arch-rival Crispa Redmanizers, where he often faced Bernie Fabiosa.

Arnaiz gained popularity for his playing style and mestizo looks, attracting female fans. He became known as 'Mr. Clutch' for being hard to defend.

After Toyota disbanded in 1984, he followed Jaworski to Gilbey's Gin (now Barangay Ginebra San Miguel), reprising their backcourt partnership. A knee injury sidelined him, but he was on the injured list when Ginebra won its first PBA title in early 1986. He retired shortly after, finishing with 10 PBA championships.

Retirement

After retiring from basketball, Arnaiz moved to California and took a job with the state government while also working as an evangelist. He is also a painter, with some of his artwork planned for exhibition at Dante Silverio's gallery. Arnaiz has said his life in America was very different from his time in the Philippines.

He was chosen as one of the PBA's Greatest Players and entered the PBA Hall of Fame in 2005. During a 2004 trip home, he spoke with reporters about his career and life after basketball. Prior commitments kept him from playing in the 2003 Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game and the 2005 PBA Greatest Game.