| Tributes
come early for great men.
And no less than the Perpetual Trophy, designed by no less
than a national artist, will now be named after the late Emilio
“Jun” Bernardino Jr., who served the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) longest for nine years. It will
be fittingly given to the champion of the most prestigious
PBA conference, the Philippine Cup.
PBA chief Noli Eala said Bernardino’s lasting legacy
as a hardworking man dedicated to his job, aside from being
the longest-serving commissioner in the league, should be
greatly preserved.
“While deeply saddened by his untimely demise, it is
the PBA’s pride to name the Perpetual Trophy after the
late Jun Bernardino, whose professionalism, dedication and
vision in his capacity as commissioner for nine long years
had propelled the league to greater heights,” said Eala
of his well respected predecessor.
The Perpetual Trophy, which cost half a million and made in
gold, was crafted by world-renowned artist Ramon Orlina. The
award is given to a team that wins the All-Filipino conference
three times in a row.
Ginebra received a replica of the trophy when it won the recent
Philippine Cup.
Bernardino died of heart attack early dawn of Saturday. He
was 59.
A true-blue basketball man from his youth, Bernardino rose
from the ranks as assistant coach of Tefilin, to being a sideline
interviewer as the original “Man on the Ball,”
before becoming assistant secretary, executive director, deputy
commissioner and finally as the fifth commissioner in the
32-year history of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
He served as head of the country’s No. 1 sports entertainment
from 1994-2002, a stint that saw him steer the league to all-time
records in both attendance and gate receipts, figures that
stand until today.
Bernardino stepped down after the 2002 season after suffering
his first heart attack.
The PBA will be holding a tribute to Bernardino when the league
celebrates its 33rd year on April 8.
In honoring the late commissioner, the PBA will also include
the charitable institutions being supported by Bernardino,
such as the Kamay ni Hesus Foundation under Fr. Joey Faller,
in the list of foundations the league has been helping throughout
the years.
Last Sunday, PBA teams began wearing black patches on their
uniforms in memory of the late commissioner. The practice
will remain for the duration of the Talk ‘N Text-Fiesta
Conference. |
