We remember the athletes, coaches and other sports figures who were once part of Philippine sports and are now playing in that great arena in the sky.
There are two inevitabilities in life: Philippine sports personalities die and I get to write about them here.
2024 has seen its fair share of victories in Philippine sports, perhaps more so than in recent years with Carlos Yulo’s Olympic triumphs, cue sports’ international success and even mainstream undertakings like basketball and volleyball getting major boosts in the year about to end.
However, 2024 also had its fair share of departures from this world by athletes and personalities who will always be remembered for shaping the sports landscape as we know it today.
Here is The GAME’s tribute to the Philippine sports personalities who went ahead of us in 2024.
Elmer Yanga, 78 (May 1) – Former PBA team manager
Always known for his disarming smile and infectious laugh, Yanga served as the RFM franchise’s team manager from 1990 until the club folded in 2001. A two-time PBA Executive of the Year recipient, Yanga was also the team manager for the 2002 Philippine team for the Busan Asiad.
Janisa Johnson, 32 (May 25) – Former PVL import
While not Filipino, Johnson did score with the hearts of the local volleyball nation when she suited up in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) twice, first for the Balipure-NU Water Defenders in 2018 and later with Petro Gazz where she was instrumental in helping the Angels win their first ever league title in 2019. Johnson connected with volleyball fans so much that tributes poured out for the California native when news of her passing was made known. For the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, Petro Gazz players had her jersey number 10 emblazoned on their uniforms.
Rosalio “Yoyong” Martirez, 77 (June 18) – Former Olympian and PBA champion
Known for dazzling fans on the hardcourt with his speed and basketball wizardry, Martirez was a member of the Philippine team in the 1972 Munich Olympics (the last time the country participated) and the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship where the Philippines won the gold medal. He played ten seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), winning two titles with the San Miguel franchise before retiring in 1983 and dabbled in acting and eventually was elected to the Pasig City Council in 1995 before serving as the city’s Vice Mayor from 2004-2013. He returned to serve as city councilor until 2022. Martirez always brought his exuberant personality everywhere he went and his death shocked the basketball community who will now forever miss his one-liners, including “Hindi ako galit! Nagtatanong lang!” (“I’m not angry! I’m just asking a question!”).
Aurelio “Boy” Clariño, 68, (June 19) – Former PBA player
One of the original PBA enforcers, Clariño had a knack of mixing it up to allow his teams’ scorers to thrive. Originally with the Delta Motors franchise, he figured in the infamous 1977 opening day brawl against rival club Crispa. Clariño went on to play for U/Tex, Great Taste and Gilbey’s Gin.
Manolo “Chino” Trinidad, 56 (July 13) – Sports Broadcaster/Former PBL Commissioner
Trinidad’s broadcasting career began in 1991 and eventually led him to Vintage Enterprises, Inc. (VEI) in 1993 as courtside reporter. Aside from transitioning to the anchorman’s position in the PBA coverage, he also broadcasted boxing events and had numerous international stints. In 2000, Trinidad was named the commissioner of the now defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL), a position he held until 2010. Trinidad was also the driving force behind Pilipinas HD and his project “Pagpupugay”, a tribute to Filipino sports heroes, earned him a citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in 2015. Known for his no-holds-barred commentary and criticism of Philippine sports, he earned the admiration of many who looked up to him in his plight for improvements across all sporting venues. At the time of his death, he was named the Commissioner of the inaugural Sharks Billiards Association and the championship trophy—eventually won by the Taguig Stallions—is known as the Chino Trinidad Championship Trophy, a fitting tribute to a man who made so many differences in so many capacities.
Benjie Cleofas, 75 (August 16) – MICAA legend and PBA pioneer
After his stint with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags as its skipper in the 1973 NCAA championship, Cleofas started etching a name for himself in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) when he laced up for the renowned Yco Painters and immediately became a catalyst on the squad, eventually helping the franchise take the 1975 MICAA championship. Cleofas was among the PBA pioneers as he played for Tanduay until 1977. The Caloocan native will always be revered for his off the court persona of caring for others and being a fixture in his community, even after his retirement and eventual settlement in California.
Eugene Quilban, 58 (August 17) – Former PBA Rookie of the Year/MBA pioneer
The 11-year pro first gained national attention in the collegiate ranks playing for the University of Manila and eventually San Sebastian College-Recoletos where his stellar play enabled him to be drafted third overall by the Alaska Milkmen in 1991. Quilban helped the Milkmen win that season’s Third Conference title and his exploits got him the nod for Rookie of the Year. He would go on to suit up for the Pepsi/Mobiline franchise and subsequently make a name for himself in the fledgling Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) where he played for three teams before retiring in 2003. Quilban also became an assistant coach for his college alma mater in 2016. The 5’7” guard was the predecessor of future heady playmakers such as Johnny Abarrientos, Olsen Racela, and Jimmy Alapag wherein which speed and quickness overcame their vertical limitations.
Rene Alforque, 52 (August 17) – Former PBA player
This University of the Visayas product saw action for Chowking in the PBL and after that 1997 stint transferred to Tanduay and became among those elevated from the PBL to the PBA. Alforque ended his short professional career with the MBA’s Cebu Gems in 2000 and concentrated on coaching in Cebu.
Sven Göran Eriksson, 76 (August 26) – Former England and Azkals Manager
His two-year stint with the Philippine national football program pales in comparison to his achievements on the global scale. After a noteworthy playing career from 1964-1975, Eriksson began what would be an iconic managerial career that would span over four decades. His last assignment was for the Azkals in 2018 and in 2019 led the Philippine contingent to its first-ever AFC Asian Cup. He remained the program’s consultant.
Carlos “Pinky” Brosas, 68 (October 3) – Former Olympian/national swimming coach
Known for producing swimming greats such as Eric Buhain, Akiko Thomson, Jessie Lacuna and Miguel Molina, Brosas started out as an Olympian himself as he competed in five events during the 1972 Munich Olympiad and later on tapped as head coach for the Philippine delegation in the 1988 Seoul, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London stagings. Under his mentorship, Brosas is credited with no less than 37 Philippine records and his impact on the sport will always leave an indelible mark.
Ricky Dandan, 62 (November 13) – Basketball coach
Dandan suited up for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons from 1981 to 1985 and was an assistant coach on the 1986 UAAP champion squad under his mentor, Joe Lipa. He was head coach of University of St. La Salle in Bacolod in the 1990s. In 1998, Dandan made his ptofessional head coaching debut for the Manila Metrostars in the MBA and had meaningful stops with Ateneo and four franchises in the PBA. Dandan became the head coach of the Maroons from 2011-2013 and his last stint was with the Bataan Risers in the MPBL. He was always known for his fiery demeanor and no-nonsense style of coaching.
Felix “Cassius” Casas, 57 (November 18) – Champion golfer
After having open heart surgery seven years ago, the 2000 Philippine Masters and the 2001 Philippine Open champion succumbed to a heart attack in Davao Oriental. Casas amassed over PhP50 million in career earnings and won 71 titles. Gaining acclaim for playing Tiger Woods in a one-on-one match at the Mimosa Golf Course in 1998, Casas will always be remembered as one of the greatest golfers in Philippine history.
Rey Pages, 72 (December 17) – MICAA cager/PBA pioneer
After making a mark in the collegiate ranks for Colegio de San Jose Recoletos in Cebu and then De La Salle University in Manila, Pages was tapped to join the fabled Crispa Redmanizers during its heyday in the MICAA and moved to Concepcion Industries to be part of its original PBA franchise. Pages eventually rejoined Crispa and went on to tally six PBA titles (including a 1976 Grand Slam) and was instrumental off the bench in giving the U/Tex Wranglers their first PBA championship.
Atty. Edwin Gastanes, 65 (December 24) – Former POC Secretary General/Former PFF Secretary General
The Philippine sporting world was stunned earlier on Christmas Eve when news of the sudden passing of Gastanes was announced on the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Facebook page. Gastanes was among the tireless individuals in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) where he served as its Secretary General from 2019-2023 and was at the forefront of 2020 Tokyo Olympiad and three Southeast Asian Games (SEA) efforts. He had also been the face of the PFF from 2013 as its Secretary General under Mariano Araneta before his resignation in 2023.
May their souls rest in peace and may their families find comfort and solace knowing that they are now in a better place.
Banner Images from Sev Sarmenta, Jay Mercado, and Facebook.