Pilotari Francesc Cabanes Pastor, 'El Genovés', was born in 1954 in Genovés, La Costera region, València.

According to the majority of experts, El Genovés was the undeniable champion of the 20^th Century pilota. It will be near impossible to witness what he displayed in a trinquet for over 25 years. His superiority over his rivals came to a point where special rules were needed to balance the forces.

He won his first cup at 17, the 'Sant Pasqual Cup'. Thanks to him, this name became known to everyone over half of the globe. The Pilota Museum is in his hometown. In 1972, Enriquito d'Alzira (a Benissa trinqueter) offered him to play with an Alicante team. Since then, El Genovés trascended the sport and became a cultural representation of València. In 1973, he face against the number one, El Rovellet, one who had earned his bottomless admiration.

El Genovés had an exceptional physical condition, an outstanding fighting spirit and self-confidence to perform his unreal hits. He won everything. He conquered the Escala i Corda National Championship in 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984 iand1989.Once the Valencian Pilota Federation was founded, he won the Generalitat President Cup of the Individual Championship in 1986, 1988 against Fredi, and 1989, 1990 and 1991 against Enric Sarasol in the Sagunto trinquet. In 1991, the young son of José and María received the Generalitat de València gold medal for his sports merits from Joan Lerma.

His fame reached Euskadi, where pilota remains a great sport, where he travelled to play against Basque pilota legends: the Martinikorema and Intxauspe. He represented our land in the Pilota World Cup and the Five Nations Championship, and he ended up in first place and became a runner-up respectively. However, his great game came when he was 41 years old, against a 20 year old Álvaro. On 9 July 1995, at Sagunto trinquet. He earned his victory against the Vall de Segó pilotari who would later become his successor, and left his gloves behind. El Genovés supported his son's player career, became a teeacher and played to showcase the sport.

Francesc Cabanes Pastor or Paco Cabanes 'El Genovés' is the greatest figure any trinquet has seen, a legend of Valencian sports. He passed away on 31 July 2021 at the age of 66 after fighting a grave illness.