Many people have anecdotes Michael Jordan. Although there are few like Pepe Sanchez. Logically, the man from Bahia didn’t match the Bulls’ six-time championship glory, but he did so at a time when Jordan had become an icon of the sport. The Argentine entered the NBA in the 2000s, when the star played for the Washington Wizards. He had the pleasure of facing him with the Detroit Pistons.Not only that, he was responsible for guarding it.
That was March 14, 2003. Sanchez is 26 and in his second season in the United States, while the world-class figure is 37 and has played in 14 tournaments (and won six rings). That day, Pepe – who admits he had a poster of Jordan in his room as a child – spent an unforgettable moment with his idol.
“I’ve played. He pretended not to look at him, but he couldn’t believe he was watching Jordan.“,rIn a speech about the protagonist’s plan, the Bahian recalled, 100 years of passion. As part of YPF’s 100th anniversary celebrations, The company published a book about Argentina’s sporting great moments. “You saw that when you defended him you could get tested sometimes. I remember putting on a serious face, sizing it up and thinking ‘I’m touching this Skinny guy,'” he added.
The Argentinian recounted his experience at the time: “I was in Detroit and he was in Washington. I played very little, but suddenly the coach called me and told me it was my turn to play.” I walked up to the console and asked who I was guarding. “To Mike,” he told me.Michael Jordan didn’t even tell me. I, innocently enough, turned around and laughed. I thought he was playing me and that he knew I was on the poster…but that’s not the case. He turned around and yelled angrily at me: “You have to defend Jordan, you have to defend him.” “I said yes and went in to play.”
There, Pepe played only 2 minutes and 47 seconds. But they are unforgettable. “Just in the span of a few minutes, I caught him a couple of times and he didn’t attack me and he passed the ball again and they took him off the field.I took him off the field” he commented with a smile.
Finally, the Argentine mentioned that “he was not even qualified to ask for a photo from His Majesty the King,” so the photo of this meeting was his only memory of sharing the pitch with His Majesty: “You don’t talk to Jordan. That was how it was then, I don’t know what it is like now. Michael Jordan invented the NBA today.Jordan is the Maradona or Messi of basketball. Just bow to him. Come and admire it. “
Fortunately for Sanchez and the Pistons, this story has a happy ending: Pistons beat Wizards 90-80, Pepe becomes only Argentine in history to beat Michael Jordan.
the whole interview
The legend of the symbolic interview
This speech is part of the first episode of “Protagonist.” As part of YPF’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the company has published a book about the great moments of Argentinian sport, featuring photos from El Grafico and written by Daniel Arcucci.That period of history It became a series of intimate interviews with our country’s great athletes.
The loop will count Eight interviews with the nation’s sporting leaders, as Daniel Arcuch talks to them about their careers, origins and best momentsthey also look back on 100 years of disciplines that have seen them shine with flagship energy companies.
The show can be watched on DeporTV and YPF official channels: In addition to Pepe Sanchez, other characters include Luciano De Checo, Luciana Aimar, Agustin Canapino, Guillermo Coria, Laurina Oliveros and Augustin Pichot, They look back not only on their sporting careers but also on their personal histories. The starting point, the obstacles they had to overcome, the accolades, the experiences upon retirement and especially how they gained the drive and energy that helped them reach the top in every discipline.
During the meeting, each delegate received a YPF book from YPF Institutional Affairs and Communications Manager Santiago Carreras, who invited them to leave messages about sport and its values. “We have been working hard to connect YPF with our team, aiming to embrace the values of sport alongside those of the company. It was great to have such an outstanding figure visit us and leave a message about the role of sport and teamwork. Proud,” Carreras, a member of the Sports Summit Leadership Panel, said when asked about the project.
“Protagonist” is more than just a talk show. This is an in-depth, intimate and emotionally rich conversation covering the images, memories, feelings and reflections of those who have brought Argentinian sport to international recognition.