Being a basketball aficionado and having been part of numerous commercial leagues, Lucio Tan Jr., a “boss” to some of commercial league players is a fixture. Aside from heading the businesses of the Lucio Tan Sr. conglomerate, those who know him more are aware that the younger Tan, like many Filipinos, is a basketball fanatic. The moment Asia Brewery bought Tanduay Distillers from the Elizaldes, Bong Tan did not hesitate to revive its basketball program.
AVID BASKETBALL SUPPORTER
A known powerhouse in the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association as Yco Painters and a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion, as well, the Tanduay franchise suddenly made its way back to organized basketball through the Stag Pale Pilsen squad in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, the de facto predecessor of the PBA D-League. After a few years, he elevated Tanduay’s PBL team led by Eric Menk and Jomer Rubi back to the PBA, and the team quickly got into the finals in its comeback conference, the 1999 PBA All-Filipino Cup, only losing to Shell.
The Rhum Masters’ second stint in the PBA lasted only three years, and it took a little longer before they got back to club basketball play through the Cobra franchise in the D-League, which they would rename Boracay Rum before returning to their Tanduay roots. And with the rise of Senator Manny Pacquiao’s Maharlika Filipinas Basketball League (MPBL), The Tanduay club became the Batangas City Athletics and is part of the 31-team field.
He also helped Alab Pilipinas come to existence in the Asean Basketball League by bankrolling the team for the first half of its second season of the eighth ABL season. In fact, Charlie Dy, one of the team’s co-owners, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday night that the sponsorship was supposed to take place earlier. “In [our] first season, we were supposed to be sponsored by Tanduay. It just didn’t work out,” Dy said. “We are very thankful to them because they believed in our cause on having the team to entertain our OFW kababayans,” Dy added.
Last Monday, November 11, Tan passed away on Monday, two days after he still joined an inter-corporate basketball league game. Tan collapsed while he was going to the bench in the second quarter of that game.
The president of Philippine Airlines Holdings Inc. (PHI), Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., died this morning due to brain herniation, his sister Vivienne Tan announced in a press statement. He was 53.
“It is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of my brother, Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan, Jr. this morning, November 11, 2019,” his sister. His untimely passing leaves a big void in our hearts and our group’s management team which would be very hard to fill. Bong was a son, husband, father, friend and, most importantly, our elder brother whom we all relied on for advice, counsel, and leadership,” Tan said. Tan is survived by his wife Julie and sons Hun hun (Lucio Tan III) and Kyle Tan.
His death comes two days after he collapsed during a basketball game in Gatorade Hoops in Mandaluyong City, A brain herniation occurs when tissue in the brain shifts. It can be caused by a stroke, an injury, or even a tumor.
“Our sincerest thanks to all who offered prayers and shared words of comfort during this hour of grief. Our family continues to request everyone to respect our wish for privacy as we go through this very difficult time,” her sister Vivienne added.
The basketball community also expressed their condolences for Boss Bong Tan’s passing.
“Thank you Mr. Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. of Batangas City Tanduay Athletics. Know that you are in our prayers and will be forever remembered,” the MPBL said in a statement.
Even in Facebook where a lot of Tan Jr’s players were present, gave the man his deserved adulation.
Tan was also the head coach of the University of the East’s (UE) men’s basketball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season 82. “The UE community expresses deep sorrow with the passing of Mr. Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., a member of the University’s Board of Trustees,” the UE said in a statement.
With additional reports: businessmirror.com.ph, inquirer.net
Photo Sources: news.abs-cbn.com, gmanetwork.com, straitstimes.com
