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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Former Ginebra exec Ber Navarro dies at 81

Former Ginebra exec Ber Navarro dies at 81

Published May 27, 2021 05:08 pm

Screenshot from PBA's Twitter account

Ber Navarro, best known for his role as Ginebra team manager during the latter years of Robert Jaworski’s career, died Tuesday, May 27, due to a cardiac arrest. He was 81.

Navarro, who was once president of La Tondena Distillers, began his tenure as team manager in 1988 and held the position as PBA chairman 10 years later.

His time with the franchise saw the Jaworski-led squad win three PBA championships under the names Anejo Rum 65, Ginebra San Miguel and Gordon’s Gin.

In Navarro’s first year as team manager, Anejo Rhum took the 1988 All-Filipino Conference with Jaworski leading a 3-1 series win over the young Purefoods team powered by rookies Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera and Jojo Lastimosa.

He played one of the roles in the infamous walkout in Game 6 of the 1990 First Conference Finals against Formula Shell. Anejo refused to leave the dugout, allowing the Zoom Masters to win the game and the championship. Anejo was later fined P550,000.

Ginebra redeemed himself the following year, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to beat Shell for the 1991 First Conference crown on Rudy Distrito’s off-balanced shot with one second to go in Game 7.

The final title came in 1997 when Gordon’s Gin took the Commissioner’s Cup trophy which was a culmination of a long return to the top following years of struggles. Prior to that run, the team drafted Noli Locsin and Marlou Aquino as top overall picks in 1994 and 1996 while also adding free agent guard Bal David from the amateur ranks.

He is survived by his wife Virginia and three children.

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