LORETO 'Bonnie' Carbonell, who played for the Philippine basketball team in the 1956 Olympics, passed away on Saturday. He was 84.
San Beda assistant coach Cholo Martin, a person very close to Carbonell, and team manager Jude Roque confirmed the news on Sunday to SPIN.ph.
Carbonell, from San Beda, was part of the 1956 Olympic basketball team that included Philippine basketball legend and another Red Lion Caloy Loyzaga.
In that same Olympics held in Melbourne, the Philippines faced a United States squad that included Boston Celtics great Bill Russell.
Carbonell was also part of the 1954 Philippine team that won a bronze in the FIBA World Championship and the 1958 squad that took home the gold in the Asian Games.
As coach, Carbonell led San Beda to back-to-back crowns in 1977 and 1978 in the NCAA. He also coached YCO and Tanduay in the Micaa and the PBA.
Carbonell, a San Beda Sports Hall of Famer, remained very close to the Red Lions and was team consultant until his passing.
The wake is at Paz Funeral Homes, Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.