Garmendia, Antonio C.
GS 1961, HS 1965
2011
DLSAA Sports Hall of Fame Awardee
Jai-Alai
“For being known as the ‘the best professional pelotari of the 1960s’, thus securing his position in the history of Philippine jai-alai” - Born in Tangiers, Morroco, Tony Garmendia’s parents are actually Spanish. His father was from a fishing town in Basque County while his mother was from Barcelona. Their family stayed in Morroco because his father Agustin was a pelotari there. After signing a contract to play in the Philippines, the young Tony was brought by Agustin to Manila with the rest of the family. The young Tony entered De La Salle College as a 7-year old. Here, he developed his jai-alai playing skills. By the time he graduated from high school, he was ready for the professional leagues, taking on the name Garmendia II to continue his father’s legacy. He won numerous awards as a professional player and is mostly remembered for his expert moves on the service, the picada and the double wall.