THE PBA paid homage to Virgilio 'Baby' Dalupan on Sunday, hailing the legendary coach as the GOAT (greatest of all time) in a brief but solemn ceremony before the Ginebra-Rain or Shine match.
After a short video tribute reliving the glory days of the 15-time PBA champion coach, his former players - Atoy Co, Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, and league commissioner Chito Narvasa - sounded the final buzzer in honor of Dalupan in rites attended by Dalupan's family at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
"He's really a disciplinarian," said Caidic of Dalupan, who passed away on Wednesday due to complications brought about by pneumonia. "Gusto niya pumasok kami ng school at mag-focus sa studies. Pag time ng basketball, basketball lang. Pag studies, studies lang."
Caidic added he owed much of his success in basketball to Dalupan, who was athletic director of the University of the East when the lefty joined the Red Warriors.
Dalupan had 15 PBA championships under his belt including a grand slam with Crispa. Overall, he amassed 52 titles.
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