The Aragonese Basketball Federation says that Paco Zapata is a basketball legend in the Community…
That legend… I feel like and will be a basketball player all my life. I carry it within me and I maintain the same mentality. I agree with them and I feel like one more, even if they are 30 years older. It happens to me like bullfighters, who when they cut their ponytails say they will continue to be bullfighters.
You didn’t do bad jobs either, together with the teachers Arcega and company… What a crew that CAI had from the attorney José Luis Rubio.
We won two Copas del Rey. People remember the first one more, in 1983, but for me the second one (1990) has more value because it reaffirmed the work that was done in the quarry. We were 8 or 9 boys from the house and only two foreigners. The Cup Winners’ Cup final is a thorn, it was our chance and we deserved it. If what happened hadn’t happened…
The shame of Guinevere? Today we will talk only about joyful things. What does basketball mean in your life?
Apart from all the joys, it has been the guiding thread of my life. I work at Adidas and, because of my profession, I have the privilege of maintaining relationships with many people in basketball. I stopped playing and after two months I was dealing with colleagues who had played with me.
How it all started?
Because he was tall.
It’s that simple?
At 13 years old he already measured 1.80.
Almost nothing…
Helios launched an initiative to recruit tall guys. I signed up because the Physical Education teacher encouraged me. If I don’t listen to him, who knows where he would have ended up?
Did you ever thank him?
His name was Don Prisciliano. I never saw him again or heard from him, but undoubtedly that detail marked my life.
What would you have done if you hadn’t been a basketball player?
I think I would have played handball. I liked all sports, I remember that I lived in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Zaragoza and we spent all day playing in the street. We spent the summer at the Delicias Stadium: swimming, tennis, table tennis… we did everything.
What did you feel on Monday when you received the love of all Aragonese basketball?
It has made me remember many precious anecdotes. Now I am 56 years old, I am in another period of my life, but I cannot complain. I feel privileged.
Who do you feel have marked your career?
There are many and I do not want to leave anyone. First, without a doubt, José Luis Rubio. He was the promoter of the project. If I hadn’t organized that, I wouldn’t have played basketball. Sure.
And on the bench?
It was with Ranko Zeravica that I played the best. He bet a lot on me. As players, Joaquín Ruiz is my best friend, Santi Aldama, Pepe and Fernando Arcega… Being so many from the house made us really a team. There were no egos, we all went together. Receiving the affection of the people, being told how happy that CAIZaragoza made them… is something of incalculable value.
Today’s basketball is very different from the one you knew.
In my time it was more important than now. Let me explain: before, not only were the stars famous, but the upper-middle-class players were also known on the street. People knew who the six or eight players on each team were, there wasn’t that much roster mobility either. The change in league format, the silver medal in Los Angeles (1984)… basketball was the coolest sport and it was cooler than soccer.
He was also international 37 times with Spain: he played a World Cup and a European.
Playing with the Spanish team was a dream. I didn’t become a regular. The other little thorn I have is not having been an Olympian. Later, with my work, I have been to several Olympic Games and I feel sorry for not having been a part of something so beautiful.
Do they still tell you that “Paco Zapata basket!”?
(Smiles) Yes, someone still reminds me of that mythical phrase by Salvador Asensio.
In 2006, as soon as he retired as a professional, he told this newspaper that his goal was to enjoy more with his wife and little María, who was three years old at the time. Has he got it?
Less than I would have liked. My profession takes me away from home for a long time and I haven’t had the time I wanted. Then came Jorge, my other son. He and Maria are the most important thing in my life.
