AURELIO ‘Epoy’ Jalmasco, who former national team coach Joe Lipa described as ‘one of the most athletic players I ever coached,’ died on Saturday (Sept. 20) due to heart attack.
He was 61.
His death came just three weeks before the PBA hosts a grand homecoming in celebration of its 50th founding anniversary.
Two-time finalist
The 5-foot-11 Jalmasco was a second-round pick of Formula Shell in the 1988 PBA draft that featured the late Jack Tanuan as the top overall pick (Purefoods) and Shell teammate Ronnie Magsanoc at No. 2.
He played two seasons with the Diesel Oilers under Lipa and later, with Hall of Famer Dante Silverio.
Jalmasco was part of the Shell team that made the finals of the 1988 Reinforced Conference and 1989 Open Conference, losing to San Miguel both times.
In the two seasons he played in the PBA, Jalmasco averaged 8.3 points in 31 games.
He was among the proteges of Lipa dating back to when he played under the legendary coach with ESQ which pulled off a stunning upset of powerhouse Lagerlite to win the 1985 PABL (Philippine Amateur Basketball League) Invitationals.
“Epoy Jalmasco is a complete athlete, with quick hands, quick feet, and quick jump,” was how Lipa described Jalmasco, a product of Feati University. “And he has good shooting hands, he is a hard-nosed defender and has a big fighting heart.”
Aside from ESQ, Jalmasco also played for Lipa at Philips Sardines in the PABL, where he likewise suited up for teams such as Mama’s Love and ERDC.
At Feati, he was a former MVP in the Metro Manila Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (MMUCAA) where he also emerged as scoring champion.
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“Pag alis namin ng Feati, siya na 'yung nagging main man (ng school),” recalled former PBA player and now NLEX deputy coach Adonis Tierra.
“Kumpleto si Epoy from offense to defense. Mabilis at malakas ang katawan.”
After his PBA stint, Jalmasco served as practice player for Sta. Lucia in 2001 under his longtime benefactor Buddy Encarnado.
He later went into coaching and mentored the Sorsogon Pilot Elementary School and the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Succor College in Marikina.
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