PBA great and Olympian Rosalio ‘Yoyong’ Martires passed away on Tuesday, June 18, his family announced.

He was 77.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Rosalio “Yoyong” D. Martires. He peacefully joined our Creator yesterday, June 18, 2024.  He was surrounded by his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said the family in a statement.

He died due to complications brought by pneumonia. Martires’ remains will be at the Evergreen Chapels and Crematory in Maybunga Pasig City and will be available for public viewing on Wednesday, June 19, before he will be laid to rest at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

Martires, a 5-foot-8 cat-quick guard from Cebu, first endeared Filipino basketball fans during his days with Manila Industrial and Commercial and Athletic Association (MICAA) before playing for 10 years in the PBA with the San Miguel franchise where he won two titles.

He was notably known as part of the Philippine basketball national team that saw action in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany alongside fellow greats William ‘Bogs’ Adornado, Danny Florencio and Jimmy Mariano.

He was part of the first wave of Cebuanos cagers alongside Ramon Fernandez and Manny Paner who carved out names for themselves in Manila. Martires was discovered while playing for Southwestern University during the 1971 Intercollegiate Games.

He was also part of the national team that won the gold medal in the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation Championships which the country hosted. He then joined Ramon Fernandez, Robert Jaworski, Abet Guidaben among other greats in the 1974 World Championships in Puerto Rico.

He retired in 1982 and since then made foray to show business, starring in comedy movies and shows. Martires also entered the world of politics when he was elected as councilor and later on vice mayor of Pasig City.