Photo courtesy of @pbaconnect
MANILA – The Philippine basketball community lost one of its modern-day pillars after San Miguel Corp. (SMC) chairman and chief executive officer Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. passed away on Tuesday night. He was 85.
Cojuangco was the architect of the Northern Consolidated Cement or the NCC-backed national team pool during the 1980s, which became the current standard on how a Philippine team consisting of young guns should be formed.
Made up of amateur stars who would become Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) mainstays in the next decade, the NCC squad went on to win the 1985 FIBA Asia (formerly the Asian Basketball Confederation) Cup championship and remains the only non-professional team to win a PBA title.
"His NCC concept was my inspiration for the Gilas program," former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, who helped establish the current national team model, said via Twitter.
The first Gilas lineup, like the NCC squad, mainly consisted of amateur players and was eventually mixed with PBA veterans and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
Cojuangco was also the longtime patron of La Salle's men's basketball team, which won multiple University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titles, as well as two Philippine Collegiate Champions League championships.
"His devotion to DLSU as patron and supporter was unparalleled," Eala added.
"Together with the whole La Sallian community, we mourn for your loss. Thank you for your countless contribution, Ninong Boss ECJ!" former Green Archer and now TNT KaTropa player Almond Vosotros said through his Twitter account.
Current University of Santo Tomas coach Aldin Ayo, who steered La Salle to the 2016 UAAP title, added, "Thank you for the opportunity. (I am) forever grateful for your kindness and generosity."
Cojuangco also remained supportive of the PBA since its inception in 1975 with SMC's flagship squad, the San Miguel Beermen, being the only founding member, which remains active in the league to this day.
San Miguel's sister teams, Ginebra and Magnolia, also became successful in their own right, especially when the SMC bought the La Tondeña and Purefoods companies.
"His commitment to SMC teams and the PBA was legendary," Eala further said.
"(He was) a tremendous friend to Philippine basketball. Our prayers for him and the Cojuangco family. The passing of an era," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said in his own tweet.
In a statement, the PBA thanked Cojuangco "for your countless contribution to the PBA and Philippine sports!" (PNA)
