HE may be a journeyman, but he’s the constant glue guy wherever he went – and he’s usually synonymous to success.
That’s how former Alaska coach Tim Cone remembers Cris Bolado, who passed away after a motorcycle accident last Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Cone drafted Bolado in the second round of the 1994 Draft and handled the seldom-used, but well-loved hefty slotman until 1996, with the latter winning five championships with the Alaska franchise, including a grand slam in 1996.
“I was so shocked and sorry to hear about the passing of Cris,” the current Ginebra coach said in a text message on Monday. “He was such a joy to coach and both a gentleman and gentle giant.”
Bolado continued to blend in wherever he went after he left Alaska as he won a title with Purefoods right in his first and only conference with the franchise in the 1997 All-Filipino conference, before winning another one with Gordon’s Gin right the next conference, before winning two more titles to finish with nine championships in nine seasons.
“He was always loved by his teammates and that’s why his teams were successful everywhere he played,” Cone said. “He was a great chemistry guy.”
“My heart goes out to the family of Cris and my condolences,” he added. “He will be remembered with great fondness.”
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