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PBA IN MOURNING: “KUME” JUN B, 59 | | Longest-serving commissioner in fatal heart attack |
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Saturday, 24 March 2007 |
Emilio “Jun” Bernardino, a consummate craftsman who steered the PBA to great heights, is gone, leaving Philippine basketball in deep mourning.
Bernardino, the PBA commissioner from 1994 to 2002, was with his family and friends giving close friend and former ABC secretary-general Moying Martelino a surprise birthday party Friday evening at the Manila Polo Club when he suffered a heart attack. He passed away early Saturday morning at the Makati Medical Center..
He was 59 and survived by wife Mimi and children Stephanie and Rishi, Nolan and Marga, Vera and Kristine. His remains lie in state at the Magallanes Chapel in Makati.
Philippine basketball lost “Jun B”, “Ibok” or simply “Kume,” who left behind an unforgettable legacy of a sportsman with a golden heart.
At the time of his death, he was among those being considered to be BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director.
“That was shocking. I was just with him that night. It’s sad. He’s a big loss for Philippine basketball,” said SBP president Manny Pangilinan who was supposed to meet with Bernardino Sunday.
A basketball man practically all his life, Bernardino played for Ateneo in elementary and high school then UP in college. He briefly coached the Maroons before being tapped as assistant of coach Fely Fajardo at Tefilin in the PBA in 1979, starting a long stint in the pro league that saw him work as a TV interviewer, executive secretary, executive director, deputy commissioner and finally commissioner.
Bernardino became a PBA commissioner in 1994 at 46. He retired after the 2002 season after suffering his first attack on April 30 of that year.
PBA teams were told to wear black bands in the duration of the Talk ‘N Text Fiesta Conference as the league pays tribute to its longest-serving commissioner.
“The PBA is deeply saddened by the sudden demise of the late commissioner Jun Bernardino, the epitome of professionalism and vision of the PBA which he nurtured and led through its glory years. The PBA will always remember his record for longevity, his ability to rise above crisis and his affinity to the public and he will be forever be remembered,” said current PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who succeeded Bernardino in 2003.
“We’ve been bosom friends for more than half a century. He has no equal in goodness of heart and was Christ-like with his all-forgiving nature. He is irreplaceable in my heart,” said Sonny Barrios, a classmate from grade school who went to work with Bernardino in the PBA, the last as his deputy commissioner.
“He was an extremely patient man, an endearing quality that won him countless friends and allowed him to steer the PBA to where it is right now,” said Atty. Butch Cleofe, another close friend from way back who also served the PBA.
“I was fortunate enough to have seen and be a part of his tenure in the PBA. I can’t forget his diplomacy in trying to make the PBA stronger and bigger. He kept on saying he’s there to bear the brunt of criticism rather than see the Governors at odds and divided,” said Sta. Lucia board representative and for league Chairman Buddy Encarnado.
“I consider him as one of my mentors, among the guiding lights in my career. Inabot ko yung ibang dating PBA leaders but I’m closest with commissioner Bernardino. He’s a big loss,” said Coca-Cola team manager Allan Caidic.
Bernardino was at the helm when the PBA in 1996 achieved record gate receipts and sales, all-time figures which still stand today. The current PBA board has in fact set an assault at the 1996 records as among its goals this campaign.
In 1998, Bernardino and past PBA commissioners Leo Prieto and Rudy Salud were bestowed Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. A year later, Bernardino became the recipient of the Executive of the Year honors during the PBA Press Corps Annual Awards. |
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March 28, 2007
Araneta Coliseum
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Thursday March 29, 2007
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