IT?S often been said that it?s not the size of a man, but the size of his heart, that matters.

That might well apply to 5 foot 1 Leonard ?Bimbot? Anquilo, whose desire to play the ?big man?s game? may seem foolhardy and quixotic to some. For like a bonsai tree in the midst of towering acacias, the diminutive player looks like he doesn?t stand a chance of competing in the high profile world of collegiate basketball.

But much to the surprise of pundits, Anquilo has proven, time and again, that he stands tall in the hardcourt.

As a third-year back-up point guard for the Arellano University Chiefs, Anquilo has been a crucial part of the squad?s success, no matter how seemingly small his contributions may be to the team.

In the second game of the best-of-three championship series against the St. Francis of Assisi College Doves in the 2008 National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), Anquilo, who was then in his freshman year, only managed to score two points. But they were the most crucial points of the game.

With St. Francis inbounding the ball, and his team clinging on to a one-point lead just six seconds away from forcing a winner-take-all match, Anquilo deflected a pass and went straight for a lay-up shot at the buzzer, propelling the Chiefs to a thrilling 61-60 victory to keep the NCRAA title.

?During the time-out, our coach told us to think positive and instructed us to go for the steal,? he recounts. ?But I didn?t really think we could actually get it. So when I actually stole the ball and converted the winning shot, I was so shocked and thought that what had happened was just so miraculous that I ran around the court in disbelief.?

But current Arellano head coach Leo Isaac always had faith in this player: ?Bimbot is courageous and has a strong fighting heart,? he says. ?He just doesn?t back down.?

Winning the NCRAA?s seniors crown wasn?t actually Anquilo?s first championship experience.

The previous year, he led the Arellano Baby Chiefs to the 2007 NCRAA juniors? title and was named the juniors? Most Valuable Player (MVP).

According to Anquilo, he later found out that he averaged just seven points an outing that season. But it was likely his leadership and spunk that made league officials select him as the MVP. In fact, his performance in high school was enough reason for his being elevated to Arellano?s seniors? squad.

Arellano is now on its second year in the more illustrious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but the Chiefs have yet to carry over to the NCAA the championship success that they achieved in the NCRAA.

As one of three guest teams last season, Arellano made heads turn with its surprising performance. But the Chiefs missed out on making it to the Final Four after finishing fifth with an 8-10 record.

Like his team, Anquilo had his share of memorable moments in 2009, but none greater than his career performance against fellow guest squad Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Great Danes.

Against AUF, Anquilo scored 20 points to go along with four rebounds and a pair of steals in 22 minutes of action, to lead the Chiefs to a 96-77 victory.

?I just felt light heading into that game and after my first shot went in, I was oozing with confidence,? reveals Anquilo, who was dubbed as ?the Little Chief? by ABS-CBN Sports anchor Anton Roxas.

Anquilo?s feat didn?t go unnoticed. He was named co-recipient of the NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award.

The Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) student would go on to average 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in close to16 minutes of action during each assignment last season.

Arellano is still in the thick of things and sports a 2-3 record as of press time.

Anquilo?s individual statistics and minutes might have dropped slightly this season, but looking back, the 21-year-old has come a long way.

The third among five children, Anquilo first fell in love with basketball when he was 6. As a doe-eyed youngster growing up in Commonwealth, Quezon City, he would wake up at 6 a.m. during summer and head straight to the basketball court. There he would play until around 2 p.m., before heading back home for a late lunch.

Eventually, he started playing during town fiestas and inter-barangay competitions.

Although his father stands 5 foot 10 and his older brother 5 foot 8, Anquilo did not inherit the height gene. Being thus vertically challenged, he was encouraged by his father to try out for other sports that were more suited to his small stature.

And he did try. He once tried out as a jockey, the family just having moved residence closer to the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

Though fearless on the hardcourt, Anquilo admits he was scared of falling off a horse and being trampled on. Small wonder his attempt at riding the saddle was short-lived.

He later proved that you can take the player out of the game, but you can never take the game from the player.

Anquilo got his chance when his father served as head of security at Arellano University. Fully aware of his son?s passion for basketball, the elder Anquilo encouraged his son to attend an open try-out for Arellano?s high school varsity. Despite his size, the boy managed to crack the squad as a sophomore.

But it wasn?t easy being an undersized player. During one of his first few games for Arellano, Anquilo was sucker-punched by an opponent from the University of Santo Tomas during one of the summer leagues. Fuming mad and with barely no experience at playing organized basketball, Anquilo retaliated before being eventually thrown out of the ballgame.

It was a hard lesson learned on keeping his temper in check, but Anquilo has managed to keep his cool since despite constant bullying and the harsh comments of opponents and their fans.

He?s been called ?Dagul? (slang for giant and a mockery of his height), and dismissed as a waif who probably lost his way while out on a minor errand (?Pinabili ka lang ng suka?).

But he remains undaunted. ?I?m actually more motivated to play better when I hear people calling me names,? admits Anquilo, who counts former Ginebra guard Bal David, B-Meg point guard Paul Artadi and New Orleans Hornets superstar Chris Paul as his basketball idols.

?We see to it that we use Bimbot to our advantage, especially when we want to run,? says Isaac. ?He is our spark whenever the team gets sluggish.?

Anquilo admits that it is tough guarding opposing guards in the NCAA, like Pamboy Raymundo of defending NCAA champion San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Borgie Hermida of San Beda College.

Not wanting to be pushed around by taller and bigger guards, Anquilo has gone on an intensive weight training program and is now at a solid 128 pounds.

Despite his obvious height disadvantage, he still aspires to someday make it to the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and perhaps even the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

If the PBA league eventually becomes a destination, Anquilo could surpass Virgilio Billy ?Haba-Haba? Abarrientos as the shortest player ever to suit up in the PBA. The 5 foot 4 Abarrientos, who is the uncle of former PBA MVP Johnny Abarrientos, played a total of 42 games for Utex and Carrier.

Regardless of where he ends up though, Anquilo is keen on finishing his Hotel and Restaurant Management degree.

Apart from his studies, he lives a regular life off the court, playing computer games like ?Counter-Strike? and ?Defense of the Ancients? (DotA) and spending time with his girlfriend of six years, who stands 4 feet 11.

With his spunk and determination to rise above his limitation, Bimbot Anquilo is truly an inspiration. He has ably proven that the height of success is always within reach. ?