Saturday, July 26, 2008

Photohunt: Hanging with a legend (A tribute to the greatest coach in the PBA)

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Arguably the greatest coach in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association, Coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan steered the Crispa Redmanizer to the league's first ever Grand slam1 in 1976. He went on to win 8 more titles for them, and won another 5 with the Great Taste Coffee Makers. He ended his storied coaching career by giving Purefoods TJ Hotdogs their first championship and his last in the league by leading them to an improbable 3-2 win after dropping their first 2 games in what could now be viewed as a "passing the baton" moment against Coach Tim Cone (who would go on to win 11 titles including the coveted Grand slam, ranking 2nd only in the number of championship to Baby Dalupan).

He retired with 15 championship under his belt--the most by any coach to this date. In 2005, 20 years after he first stepped in the basketball courts of the PBA, the PBA Press Corps "Coach of the Year" award was renamed the "Virgilio Dalupan Coach of the Year" award in honor of his lasting contribution to the league.

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Here's me hanging with PBA Great, Coach Baby Dalupan.

Now at 84--despite numerous health struggles including a bypass surgery in 2000--Coach Baby Dalupan is still a picture of hard work and persevering energy. He encourages his "classmates" in CCReP just by being there. I consider myself lucky having met the man.

Truly it is an honor for me to be hanging with this legend.



1 A PBA grand slam is winning all three titles in a single PBA season.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is always good to remember the heroes.

kaycee said...

Wow, Philos! A photo with Baby Dalupan! There is no denying he is the greatest coach in the history of PBA. Thanks for this entry.
Have a nice weekend =)

Harajuku PearL said...

he is definitely a legend. And having surviving a bypass he's really an inspiration !!

Pearl - have a good weekend!

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

Wow~ 15 championships is pretty impressive :P He looks like a nice guy too :P

Anonymous said...

Cool! My two sons both represented their state in basketball. :)

Anonymous said...

Nice to actually meet someone you admire.
Thanks for looking by - all the building was going on across the road from our house.

Kim said...

Very interesting, It is still amazing to me when I read blogs from other countries! Kim

david mcmahon said...

What a great honour.

philos said...

@archiearchive: how true! :)

@kaycee: We're on first name basis... err, actually, he calls me Art, I call him Coach hehe :p

@pearl: thanks pearl! I just love that he didn't enter politics hehe

@napaboaniya: he is, of course he was never nice on the court hehe... not that we expect any basketball coach to be nice on court

@leslie: Wow! I hope they go on to the NBA!

@aileni: yeah... even better to end up being friends with them :)

@kim: hehe... keep coming back, it might take some more time before my entries will start coming from your country hehe

@david: not nearly close enough to the accolades he's used to getting I suppose :)

Unknown said...

Baby Dalupan is definitely legendary in the PBA. Wow, a photo with the man! My uncles and brothers would be green with envy!:D

YTSL said...

Very cool -- thanks for the story as well as sharing the photo. :)

Liz Hinds said...

Lucky you! He has a generous and kind face too.

Anonymous said...

nice tribute ha!

never been to sonyas pero i heard sarap ng food dun, pero winner yung chinatown! i love chinese food!hehe happy weekend :)

Anonymous said...

he's a legend. and it's definitely something to remember being with him even for a moment.

Baker Watson said...

'Hanging with the legend' - Great take on the theme. Always great to meet with someone you admire.

And thanks for the visit and comments. I think you were one of the first to actually read the whole post, lol. I'm glad you enjoyed the closing lines.

Baker

Aisha said...

:) He is amazing! At least, I'm able to see a picture of him in your blog.

philos said...

@Luna: Hehe... I know what you mean, most of my other patients are only too happy to be introduced when they see him exercising

@ytsl: thanks for reading them :)

@liz: that he is :)

@ettey: thank thanks! visit 'em and let me know how u like the food hehe

@bingskee: I agree

@baker: I did, but I enjoyed the photos more hehe

@steven and aisha: Thanks for coming by! :)

Hootin Anni said...

Mmmmmmmm, 'hanging with a legend'....I love the whole concept.

Mine's posted, hop on over if you can find time! Have a super weekend.

Anonymous said...

This man has achieved a lot and worthy of emulation by the present crop of PBA/UAAP stars, both the players and the coaches.

Heart of Rachel said...

This is a wonderful tribute to someone your really admire and respect.

Anonymous said...

Very nice photo and kind words.
God bless.

Anonymous said...

Nice interpretation of the theme. Unexpected, but a sweet tribute.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Shawie said...

oh wow! I'm jealous! I hear a lot about him when I was still a big fan of PBA:) that's really a treasure! keep it (with autograph)and you might be able to sell on EBay someday, hehehe...

tnchick ♥ said...

Great way to represent hanging! What a cool photo to have, too!

Anonymous said...

Very creative take on the theme!

storyteller said...

What a clever take on this week’s theme. I enjoyed learning about this 84-year-old marvel! Thanks for the introduction ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

philos said...

@Hootin' Anni: Thanks! Appreciate you dropping by... those pirate stuff hanging on your walls sure look legendary too! :p

@Lynn: I agree :) Thanks for dropping by!

@Rachel: I never really saw him coach (too young), but I admire him because of who I know him to be right now (it also helps that people seem to be in awe of him all the time hehe)

@Suzanne: thank you! God bless you too! :)

@sallyacious: Glad you liked it. :)

@Shawie: Haha... I don't know about that :p

@♥tnchick♥: Thanks! Glad you liked it :)

@Blur Mommy: aww... thanks! I've always wanted to be called creative hehe

@storyteller: ...and clever hehe :p Glad you enjoyed it... God bless! :)

Anonymous said...

Are you a basketball player yourself?

philos said...

@Jam: I can just imagine the laughter that would ensue if I claim to be one... instead I will say this, I prefer badminton. :p

Anonymous said...

i remember watching pba games with my dad and lolo when i was little. and who could forget coach baby dalupan?! :)

thanks for sharing this!