Paco Cabanes Pastor

Who is Paco Cabanes Pastor?

Paco Cabanes Pastor is a retired professional Valencian pilota player known by his town's name, Genovés I, and who has begun a pilotaris saga with his son, Genovés II. He's been regarded as one of the best players of the history, alongside with El Nel de Murla, Juliet d'Alginet and Rovellet, and he deserved to be in the Honor Gallery of the Pelayo trinquet. He's been also member of the Valencian Pilota Squad.

As is used in his town, he began playing Raspall, but when he was 17 he turned to Escala i corda, variant which he ruled for 20 years. His arrival meant the end of Rovellet's era, and his retirement meant the beginning of Álvaro; things got complicated for great players such as Eusebio or Fredi, who had few chances to win relevant championships.

He made his debut as a dauer on 1974 at the Campionat Nacional d'Escala i Corda, and the very next year he was the winner. His superiority was so clear for everybody that organizers had to force him to play per baix, that is, he could only hit the ball when it had already bounced on the ground or on the walls, but never on the air. Even with his handicap he won three more seasons. Later, for two years, he was forced to play as a mitger, but he won again.