THE NCAA community mourned the loss of Rolly Manlapaz after the colorful court barker passed away on Thursday afternoon. He was 53.
Players and coaches alike from the country's oldest collegiate league paid tribute to the recognized voice of Philippine college basketball. Manlapaz served as the barker for the UAAP and the NCAA for nearly two decades.
Reigning league MVP CJ Perez said his moniker 'Baby Beast' was bestowed on him by Manlapaz, who quickly noticed his similarities to former San Sebastian star Calvin Abueva.
Perez was then a wide-eyed 17 year old kid in the Filoil preseason tournament wearing Abueva’s No. 7 jersey for the Baby Stags. Perez’ boundless energy on the courtand athleticism served as the cue for Manlapaz.
“The baby beast!” Manlapaz proudly shouted and Perez’ career was never the same since then.
“Sinigaw na lang niya bigla. Gulat na lang ako,” Perez fondly remembered when asked about Manlapaz.
“Kay sir Rolly nanggaling yung baby beast na yun ever since. Filoil pa lang ata yun. Naging part siya nung mga big league. Sobrang happy kami na nabibigyan kami ng moniker dahil sa kanya. Lumalabas yung pangalan namin dahil sa kanya,” Perez continued.
San Beda star Robert Bolick wasn’t lucky enough to be given a moniker by Manlapaz, but he shares a special bond with the Ateneo alumni.
Like Manlapaz, Bolick is known for his flair and bravado with what he does and the reigning UAAP-NCAA Press Corps Collegiate Player of the Year said it’s never been the same without Manlapaz.
“Nagulat nga ako, kala ko okay na siya. Nakaka-miss yun, nakakagana maglaro dun e. Kaya ngayon ayoko na mag-ganun ganun (acrobatic shots) eh. Kasi pag gumaganun ako, kasi dati, siya kagad yung sumisigaw ng ‘dipsy-doo’ noon,” Bolick said.
“Di na siya ganun kasaya. Kahit sa UAAP ganun din e. Pag tinawag niya pangalan mo feeling mo nasa NBA ka e. Nakakapagpagana maglaro,” he added.
Bolick even recalled the times when he was mostly relegated to the bench in his days with La Salle, where Manlapaz would playfully call him out during warm-ups.
“Talagang may pinagsamahan din kaming dalawa. Nung sa La Salle, sa championship namin sa UST, kahit nasa bench ako tinatawag pa rin ako niyan e. Di ko nga alam kung bakit niya ako tinatawag,” Bolick said with a laugh.
“Pag lumalay-up akong ganun, sinisigaw niya, nahihiya tuloy ako mag-warm up. Nakaka-miss din talaga, hopefully nasa magandang lugar na siya,” he added.
Like Bolick, his head coach Boyet Fernandez also has some stories to share about Manlapaz. The best one happened during the player introductions in every game where Manlapaz calls him by his real name instead of ‘Boyet’ that the basketball world know.
“We’re gonna miss him. Hopefully he rests in peace. Mami-miss namin yung mga sigaw niya dito sa Arena, especially when he calls me Teodorico not Boyet. I’m gonna miss that,” Fernandez said.
For Lyceum coach Topex Robinson, Manlapaz is one of the reasons why they should always respect and honor the game. Robinson explained that there are people like Manlapaz who pretty much dedicated his entire life to the basketball court.
“Again, that’s why we always honor this basketball game because so many people gave their lives here. This has been their home. We make sure that we’re gonna honor them by always playing our best,” Robinson said.
“We know that he’s been a part of this industry longer than I guess I’ve been here. We offer prayers for his family. Hoping that his legacy will stay.”
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