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.
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.
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.
Truly it is an honor for me to be hanging with this legend.
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1 A PBA grand slam is winning all three titles in a single PBA season.
