INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – A somber mood over the league with the death of longtime board member Rolando “Brenn” Mateum Perez on the eve of the 72nd UAAP season opener.

Perez, the University of the East’s representative to the UAAP board since 1988, died of heart attack on Friday night. He was 51.

His remains lie in state at the Arlington Memorial Chapels on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

As the longest serving member of the current board, Perez worked in various capacities including as secretary-treasurer when UE last hosted the league in 2006.

“Brenn was a man of integrity; he always had the best interest of UE and of the UAAP in mind,” UAAP president Anton Montinola of host Far Eastern University said during the opening rites.

“Always smiling, ever helpful and so very humble – that is how the UAAP will forever remember [Perez].”

The league offered a video tribute and a moment of silence for Perez, who passed away just a day after his 51st birthday.

He died at 8:45 p.m. at the Sta. Teresita General Hospital in Quezon City. Interment will be announced later.

As UE’s physical education director, Perez took charge of the school’s varsity teams in all sports. He also mentored the men’s volleyball team that captured the UAAP crown in 1982.

He worked as a PE instructor since 1979 and held various positions in the past years, including UE’s sports coordinator and PE assistant director.

“It’s a tragic loss to us at UE and to the UAAP,” said Carmelita Mateo, UE’s executive vice president and league board representative.

Perez is survived by his wife Maria Fe; children Brian Michael, Roland Anthony, Angelica Charisse, Alfonso Jose and John Ross; daughter-in-law Catherine; grandson Bren Russ Michael; and mother Delia.