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ALBERTO 'Bert' Lina, whose rags to riches story inspired countless Filipinos when he built a business empire from a small beginning as a lowly "kargador" or factory helper to heading a conglomerate dealing with logistics and various enterprises, including owning a PBA team, died on Tuesday. He was 76.
His death was announced by his family but did not say the cause or where he died.
As soon as his death became public, tributes poured in, many from members of the professional basketball team which played under the name FedEx Express and Air21 until its disbandment after 14 years.
Besides basketball, Lina was also deeply involved in other sports such as cycling, including sponsoring the Tour ng Pilipinas for many years, and golf, which he played with unbridled enthusiasm.
Although his businesses flourished, and his reputation as an astute entrepreneur grew, it was in sports that helped him get wider recognition, this country being addicted to basketball.
FedEx and later, Air21, however, never got the to reach the pinnacle of the PBA, getting only as close to being in a finals series in 2008, in the Fiesta Cup, against Barangay Ginebra, which it lost, 4-3, after leading the series 3-2.
READ Owner Bert Lina thanks fans for support of Air21
Among those who began their career under Lina's team include Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocamp, and RenRen Ritualo, who all said they will forever be indebted to the former Bureau of Customs chief for giving them the breaks that sparked their careers.
“I’m shock and saddened. He was my first boss (in the PBA) who took care of me,” said the 45-year-old Ritualo, who described Lina’s death as not a ‘happy day.’
Santos, 43, said Lina was a kind and humble person who’s also very family-oriented.
“Napaka-simpleng tao at isa rin sa naniwala at nagtiwala sa aking kakayahan na makatulong sa kanyang Team Air21 sa PBA,” said the 2013 PBA MVP. “Hindi ko makakalimutan ang binigay niyang suporta sa akin lalo na nung nagsisimula pa lang ako sa PBA.”
Ritualo, on the other hand, was among the pioneer players of the team when it bought the Tanduay franchise in 2002 and named it the FedEx Express.
Coming off a decorated collegiate career at De La Salle, Ritualo was taken by FedEx in the first round (No. 8) of the draft that year, which featured 6-foot-9 Yancy De Ocampo as the franchise’s first ever top pick.
“Magkasama kami ni Yancy nun. No. 1 pick siya ako No. 8,” recalled Ritualo. “Very welcoming yung Lina family. They always held dinners for the team."
Ritualo and Santos, however, never got to play together with the team. The shooting guard had already been traded by the Express to TNT by the time Santos came on board as the No. 2 overall pick by Air21 (which carried the team brand by then) in the 2006 draft.
It was with Air21, though, that Ranidel was reunited with older brother Yancy after they played together at St. Francis of Assisi College. The power forward, now 43, was selected by the ballclub as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 draft.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya (Bert Lina) at sa kanyang pamilya dahil nagkaroon kami ng maayos na buhay dahil sa Air21 ako nagsimula ng career sa PBA,” said the now TNT deputy coach.
READ Without trades, Air21 could've put together one heck of a PBA team
It was that batch of Santos and Ranidel de Ocampo when Air21 reached the finals against Ginebra in the PBA Fiesta Conference.
The team was coached by Bo Perasol and players were Santos, Ranidel, Gary David, KG Canaleta, Wynne Arboleda, JC Intal, Gabby Espinas, Doug Kramer, Egay Billones. Homer Se, Marvin Cruz, Ervin Sotto, and hulking import Steve Thomas.
After leading, 3-2, the Express lost the last two games including the winner-take-all Game 7 (97-84) before a roaring crowd of 22,092 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ranidel expressed sadness over the loss of a man who’s very passionate with sports.
“Nakakalungkot ang pagkawala ni sir Bert lalo na sa mga katulad niyang naniniwala sa sports,” said the six-time PBA champion. “Siya ay No. 1 supporter ng iba’t-ibang event ng sports, lalo na sa mga national teams.”
Under his leadership, Lina revived the country’s professional road bicycle racing stage in 2002 which became known as Tour Pilipinas and ran until 2019.
Lina also owns the Laguna Lakers, among the pioneer teams of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) back in 1998.
“Salute pa rin ako sa kanya at proud na nakilala ko ang isang Bert Lina, the man behind ‘Ube Republic,’” said Santos.
Ritualo for one, has become close to the Lina family and continued his friendship with Arboleda who, by the way, had become Lina's son-in-law as he’s married to Bert's daughter April.
“Kasama ko pa si Wynne (Arboleda) na naglaro sa Hong Kong last November,” said Ritualo, who, incidentally, ended his playing career with Air21 in 2014.
“Nagsimula at natapos ang career ko pareho sa Air21,” he said.
Also giving tribute was PBA great Ramon Fernandez who said Bert's legacy "is one of respect, integrity and dedication ... qualities he embodied in his impactful roles both in government and business."
"As a respected figure, he touched the lives of many with his kindness and generosity," said Fernandez, who added, that Lina, on a personal level, was a "source of strength and his advises were always invaluable."
Described as a self-proclaimed ‘kargador,’ Lina transformed Philippine logistics through his unwavering dedication and innovative spirit. As a child, he sold pineapples and then moved upwards financially after becoming a certified public accountant.
He built a logistics and waste management empire that revolutionized support for the semiconductor, hazardous, and medical waste industries.
Bert also served in the government as commissioner of the Bureau of Customs twice in 2005 and 2015-16.
A scheduled funeral mass and inurnment is set on Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the St. James the Great Parish Ayala Alabang.
A series of daily Novena will also be held beginning on Feb. 28, with details to follow.
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