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Rafael Arquelio Torres Ramírez
(Drawing made by El Sangermeño in 1983)
Born on October 25, 1917 in the Hoconuco Bajo's neiborhood, San German, Puerto Rico, son of Pedro Torres and Delia Ramírez. Started to play basketball at age 8. At age 13 became part of Famacia Martin basketball team, one of the two teams available in San German, being the other one "All San German". Wearing the Famacia Martin uniform he receives the nickname "El Pequeño Titan" (The Small Titan). In 1936 was named Rookie of the Year and wins the silver medal in the First Puertorican Olympics. Played for the Puerto Rico National Team between 1937 and 1940 (Panama in 1937, Long island in 1938, and Cuba in 1940 participating in the "Serie Cuadrangular Panamericana"). Was the captain of the Puerto Rico National Team in 1939 and 1940. Joined the US Army and served between 1943 and 1946 (World War II). In 1943, while Arquelio Torres was station in Tortuguero's Army Base, Ponce, PR organized a basketball team with the name "Tortuguero". In this team 9 players, out of the 12, where from San German, his hometown. Arquelio Torres was the coach and also a player for the team. In 1943 Tortuguero won the tournament championship. Later, while station in Hawaii, Arquelio Torres organized another basketball team and named them "Los Cocorocos" (puertorican players only) and they did not loose in 36 games. Los Cocorocos returned to Puerto Rico and played against the Atleticos of San German loosing by one point.
Once Arquelio finished his obligation with the US Army, he returned to San German and joins the Atleticos of San German's Team and stays with them from 1946 to 1949. In the season of 1946 and 1947, Arquelio annotates a 100 points which were a lot of points back then. In 1949 participated in a team tour thru the United States from where he returned sick, and dies on Christmas Day in 1949. In his last game Arquelio Torres made wonders annotating 19 points with only three players, including himself. Out of the the seven players that participated in the tour, four of them came out of the game for personal fouls. On his achievements as a basketball player he was named the Most Valuable Player twice, participated in the "All Star of Puerto Rico in nine ocasions and was selected four times like the Best Team Captain. Arquelio was also known as " El Caballero del Deporte" (The Basketball Gentleman). In 1954 was selected to the Puerto Rico Basketball Hall of Fame and the number of his jersey "3" was retired from the basketball courts in Puerto Rico. Today the Basketball Court where the Atléticos of San Germán play, carry the name of "El Coliseo Arquelio Torres Ramírez" (Arquelio Torres Ramirez Coliseum).
Funeral of Arquelio Torres Ramirez (Photo Cortesy of Juan D. Torres Sanabria, RIP)
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