Lucio "Bong" Tan, Jr. (Photo courtesy of LT Group, Inc.)
MANILA -- Many Filipinos know Bong Tan as the man who continues to lead the way for some of the companies of his father, Lucio Tan Sr., such as Philippine Airlines and Asia Brewery.
But those who know him more are aware that the younger Tan, like most of us, is a basketball fanatic.
The moment Asia Brewery bought Tanduay Distillers from the Elizaldes, Bong Tan did not hesitate to revive its club basketball program.
A known powerhouse in the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association as Yco Painters and a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion as well, the Tanduay franchise suddenly made its way back to organized basketball through the Stag Pale Pilsen squad in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, the de facto predecessor of the PBA D-League.
After a few years, he elevated Tanduay's PBL team led by Eric Menk and Jomer Rubi back to the PBA, and the team quickly got into the finals in its comeback conference, the 1999 PBA All-Filipino Cup, only losing to Shell.
The Rhum Masters' second stay in the PBA lasted only for three years, and it took a little longer before they got back to club basketball play through the Cobra franchise in the D-League, which they would rename Boracay Rum before returning to their Tanduay roots.
The Tanduay club transferred to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and became the Batangas City Athletics.
He also helped Alab Pilipinas come to existence in the ASEAN Basketball League by bankrolling the team for the first half of its second season or the eighth ABL season.
In fact, Charlie Dy, one of the team's co-owners, revealed to the Philippine News Agency on Monday night that the sponsorship was supposed to take place earlier.
"In [our] first season, we were supposed to be sponsored by Tanduay. It just didn't work out," Dy said.
Although their partnership was short-lived, Dy could not help but thank Tan for the opportunity.
"We are very thankful to them because they believed in our cause on having the team to entertain our OFW kababayans," Dy said.
His love for the game greatly shows with all his contributions to the Philippine hoops scene.
"Basketball is really his passion," Dy said.
Tan passed away on Monday, two days after he still joined an inter-corporate basketball league game.
Tan collapsed while he was going to the bench in the second quarter of that game.
"It's so unfortunate that at a young age of 52, he passed away," Dy said.
Some other basketball entities also expressed their condolences for Tan's passing.
"Thank you Mr. Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. of Batangas City Tanduay Athletics. Know that you are in our prayers and will be forever remembered," the MPBL said in a statement.
Tan was also the head coach of the University of the East's men's basketball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season 82.
"The UE community expresses deep sorrow with the passing of Mr. Lucio “Bong” Khao Tan Jr., a member of the University’s Board of Trustees," the UE said in a statement. (PNA)
