INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Three-time PBA champion coach and many-time national basketball team mentor Turo Valenzona has been appointed consultant of the Philippine Sports Commission to help oversee the sports agency’s operations.

The 65-year-old Valenzona, whose name often crops up when the PSC has vacancy for commissioners, confirmed Wednesday that he has accepted his appointment last March 15 joining the ranks of Olympians Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco and Elma Muros-Posadas.

He once served as PSC consultant during the time of Gemiliano “Mel” Lopez in the early 90s.

“`I only want to help sport in whatever capacity.. I’m through with coaching but maybe I can contribute something to sport especially basketball,” Valenzona told the INQUIRER

Valenzona said he reports directly to the PSC chair Harry Angping.

He was at the helm of the powerhouse Tanduay Rhum team of the mid 80s which had a run of three conference titles with Ramon Fernandez, Padim Ysrael and imports David Thirdkill and Rob Williams in the fold.

Valenzona was credited for winning the 1978 Asian Basketball Confederation Youth championships, steering the young Marte Saldana, Yoyoy Villamin, Bai Cristrobal, JB Yango and Chito Loyzaga.

And with Hector Calma joining the roster, the team represented the country in the 1979 World youth where we landed in the consolation round.

Valenzona joined Velasco and Posadas in the roster of consultants who act as conduit between the PSC and the athletes.