Final buzzer sounds as PBA pays tribute to Dalupan

Family members of Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan took part in the PBA’s tribute to the legendary coach on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES

The final buzzer has sounded for the greatest coach in Philippine basketball history.

The PBA on Sunday paid homage to the legendary Baby Dalupan with league commissioner Chito Narvasa sounding the ceremonial buzzer at center court of Smart Araneta Coliseum just before the game between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine.

Dalupan’s former players Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, and Atoy Co joined the commissioner in the ceremony.

The family of the 52-time champion coach also took part in the event.

“Nag-iisa lang si coach Baby, mahal na mahal nbamin si coach kaya malaking pasasalamat ang Purefoods franchise sa kanya,” said Patrimonio who played under Dalupan from 1989 to 1991.

Caidic, who played for University of the East when Dalupan was the school’s Athletic Director, reminisced how the Crispa coach played a role that brought him to play for the Red Warriors.

“Nung nag tryout ako sa UE nung ’81, he was the Athletic Director, tapos he was coaching Crispa at that time, nag step-in siya sa practice tapos siyempre kami excited so nagpakita kami ng best namin para ma-impress siya at coaches,” said Caidic who won two UAAP basketball titles with the school.

“I found out later na ininstruct niya yung coach na ‘kunin mo yang kaliweteng yan, mapapakinabangan’ those were the exact words na sinabi niya. Imagine that, kung di siya dumating nung time na yun, who knows baka di ako nakuha sa UE.”