PRAYERS and well wishes have poured in after multi-titled coach Joel Banal suffered a heart attack.
Banal, 60, was rushed to a hospital after suffering a heart attack on Sunday night and he underwent angioplasty that same day.
“Just heard about Joel Banal’s heart attack. Great coach, even greater person! A true gentleman,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who had Banal as one of his deputies – along with Aric Del Rosario – when he won all his championships at Alaska, including the grand slam in 1996.
“I’m praying for his complete recovery. Prayers also to his family,” added the 60-year-old coach in his message posted on his Twitter account @manilacone.
Magnolia Pambansang Manok coach Chito Victolero was also surprised upon hearing the news and immediately got in touch with the family of his wedding godfather.
Banal stands on record as the only coach to win championships as head coach in the NCAA, UAAP, the defunct PBL, and the PBA.
He steered his alma mater Mapua to back-to-back titles during the 1990 and 1991 NCA season and was at the helm at Ateneo a decade later when the Blue Eagles bagged the UAAP championship in 2002.
Just months before his success with Ateneo, Banal piloted Ateneo-Hapee to the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup title behind the core of the Katipunan-based school led by Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, and Larry Fonacier.
A year after his title run with the Blue Eagles, Banal led Talk ‘N Text to its very first PBA crown as the team rallied from a 0-2 deficit against Coca-Cola to win the All-Filipino conference.
Banal played as a pro from 1982 to 85 for Great Taste following a stellar amateur career with Mapua in the NCAA and as member of the Philippine men’s team. He won a total of four championships with the Coffee Makers.
His son Raphael Banal currently plays for Blackwater.
The elder Banal was also a former commissioner of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL). His last involvement in basketball was as consultant to brother Koy at PBA D-League side Marinerong Pilipino.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph