EMERSON Colina passed away playing the game that’s closest to his heart.
The former deputy coach of Northport, Terrafirma, and Lyceum collapsed on the court while playing in a tournament on Tuesday night and was dead on arrival at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
He was 59.
Coaches Bonnie Tan and Johnedel Cardel who worked closely with Colina described him as very active in the game despite his age and someone who knows his basketball history.
All of them worked together under Globalport (later Northport), and then went with Cardel when they served as part of the Terrafirma coaching staff.
“Magkikita sana kami sa Guam before siya namatay. May short tournament doon (for 50 and above). Pero hindi ako natuloy dahil sa China ako naglaro. Siya natuloy with the group of Erwin Sta Maria,” said Cardel, who was just as surprised as everybody was when they got wind of the news about Colina’s death.
“I call him Comm Emer, marami kasi siyang alam sa basketball and malalim siya sa history ng PBA players,” recalled Tan, now head coach of the Batang Pier. “Mga legendary players kilala nya lahat, pati style ng laro. Masarap kausap.’
Tan had a longer association with Colina, who was his assistant with Lyceum of the Philippines and Grace Christian College, served as part of the Batang Pier coaching staff under Pido Jarencio and Tan as team manager, and worked closely together during their Metroleague days.
Cardel said Colina was his assistant during his time with Rizal Technological University.
As usual, basketball brought the two together for the first time.
“Quiet type yan. Nakilala ko siya nung nasa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) pa siya nagwo-work. Nagkaroon ng liga sa DFA and kami magkakasama nila coach Pido,” remembered the former head coach of Terrafirma.
After Globalport, Cardel and Colina took their acts to the KIA franchise.
“Sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa KIA. Head coach namin nun si coach Ricky Dandan,” said Cardel.
As far as their recollection, this is not the first time Colina collapsed during a game.
Cardel said the same thing happened while he, Tan, Colina, and the other guys were playing back in 2016 at the Golden Panda gym in Banawe. The product of De La Salle University said they brought their colleague at the St. Luke’s hospital.
“Pag dating ko sa St. Luke’s ER (Emergency Room), gising na siya and ni-release din that night,” added Tan, who was with former Globalport import Calvin Warner when they checked on Colina at the hospital.
According to Cardel and Tan, fatigue and lacked of sleep were the initial diagnosis on why Colina collapsed while inbounding the ball on the sideline.
“Tumigil muna si Com Emer playing basketball dahil natakot din siya,” said Tan. “Pero after pandemic, alam ko active na siya again playing with another group.”
Eight years after the incident, Colina went through the same experience anew. But this one proved to be fatal.
He was playing at PUP in a league for 50-years and above when Colina fell unconscious.
“Dinala siya sa Cardinal, pero wala na. Tinawag sa akin wala ng pulso around 8:15 p.m.,” said Tan.
Colina’s remains lie in state at the St. Peter Chapels (Chapel 612). Interment is set on Nov. 5 at the Loyola Memorial Park and Crematorium.
Cardel understands the Filipinos’ innate love for the game, but believes health should also be prioritized especially for people who are already in their golden years.
“Importante talaga is yung monitoring ng health natin,” said the former national team member and PBA player. “And siyempre prayers na i-guide tayo saan man tayo nandoon.”
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