Work on mural to honor ‘Piculín’ Ortiz gets underway in Cayey

Muralist David Zayas, center, pointed out the inspiration for the project: “The photo of Piculín’s victory [celebration] in front of the Parthenon in Greece, with his arms raised, after beating the United States [Olympic] team in Athens 2004, 92-73, is ... an image that transmits the glory well earned through work and effort.”

By The Star Staff

Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez, along with District 29 Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry and a group of municipal public servants, welcomed the muralist David Zayas earlier this week to begin a project in honor of retired basketball star José “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos.

A mural 30 feet high and 80 feet wide will cover a wall in the largest building in Cayey, the Municipal Business Plaza, which from now on will bear the name of the former Olympian.

“In Cayey we honor our athletes for their work in uniting the country and being an example for new generations. We have done it at Pedro Montañez Stadium, the Alberto Mercado House Museum, and now we honor Piculín Ortiz with what will be the largest mural in Cayey,” Ortiz Velázquez said on Wednesday. “From his city we send him a warm Cayeyan hug from his uncles and brothers so he knows that we are with him.”

Hau Irizarry also spoke for those present, wishing Ortiz, who underwent cancer surgery recently and is currently hospitalized after a relapse, a speedy recovery.

“This is a project that has been in the works for a couple of years,” she said. “It was announced last September, and … last night David made a light projection on the wall to begin to draw the first lines of the mural.”

Zayas, who also created the Ramón Frade León mural in the acoustic shell in the Cayey public square, pointed out the inspiration for the project.

“The photo of Piculín’s victory [celebration] in front of the Parthenon in Greece, with his arms raised, after beating the United States [Olympic] team in Athens 2004, 92-73, is very famous,” the artist said. “That is an image that transmits the glory well earned through work and effort. That is the message we are going to transmit.”

Zayas estimated that the project could be completed in a month, depending on weather conditions. Ortiz Velázquez also announced that the José “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos building will house the athlete’s memorabilia.

“His photos, his objects of historical value, will serve as an example to youth, as a tourist attraction to visitors, and as the life of one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved sons,” the mayor said.

Ortiz, 61, an International Basketball Federation Hall of Famer and former national team player, played for the Utah Jazz for two seasons in the NBA, and for the Atléticos de San Germán, Cangrejeros de Santurce and Capitanes de Arecibo in National Superior Basketball (BSN by its initials in Spanish). He was a member of the Puerto Rican national team from 1983 to 2004, and holds several records as a player. He is fourth and sixth all-time for rebounds per game and total rebounds, respectively, in the BSN. He is also only the third player to win eight championships in the league. Ortiz was the first Puerto Rican player to be selected in an NBA draft.