RODOLFO 'Rudy' Soriano, the original ‘Magician’ of the PBA, passed away on Thursday due to heart attack.
He was 79.
A star player of the University of the East in college while helping the Red Warriors win four UAAP men’s basketball championships under legendary coach Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, Soriano was a pioneer member of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers, where he won all of his eight championships in Asia’s pioneering pro league including the PBA's first-ever grand slam in 1976.
Minute of silence
The league offered a minute of silence for Soriano just before the second game of the Governors’ Cup on Friday night between Magnolia and Blackwater at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Known for his acrobatic shots, the pride of Orani, Bataan played a total of 168 games from 1975 to 1980 and averaged 11.7 points for the Redmanizers, where he wore jersey No. 7.
A serious knee injury set back his career, although he attempted a brief comeback in 1983 and played for Gallery Dominique. He averaged 7.4 points per game in seven games with the franchise.
Soriano also played for the national team and was part of the Philippine squad that bagged the first-ever Asian Youth Championship held in Manila
He was a member of the men’s team which placed fourth in the 1974 Tehran Asian Games.
In 1991, he tried his hands at coaching and called the shots for his alma mater UE.
His remains lie at the Luna Chapel in La Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Paranaque starting on Saturday until Monday.
Inurnment is scheduled on Tuesday (July 21).
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