Alfonso Márquez played for the high school team of Ateneo de Zamboanga where he was mentored by a Jesuit priest.

He was later scouted by coach Eddie Gullas who convinced him to suit up for the Green Lancers collegiate team of the University of Visayas (UV).

In that game, Márquez who was 19-years-old at that time is the third highest UV scorer accounting for 16 points for the Green Lancers.

He later played for Meralco and Mariwasa during the 1970s in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association.

His performance playing with the University of Visayas gained the attention of head coach Baby Dalupan helping Márquez secure a place in the Philippines roster for the 1959 FIBA World Championship in Chile.