Jimmy Mariano, a two-time Olympian and champion coach, passes away
At A Glance
- Jimmy Mariano, one of the country's basketball legends best remembered for his two Olympic appearances, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7. He was 84.
(PBA)
Jimmy Mariano, one of the country's basketball legends best remembered for his two Olympic appearances, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7. He was 84.
Mariano's death was announced during the PBA Philippine Cup game between Rain or Shine and Converge.
The pride of Malabon City was the flag-bearer in the 1972 Munich Games and was also part of the contingent four years prior in Mexico.
He was the team captain when the Nationals won the gold medal in the ABC Championship (currently the FIBA Asia Cup) at the fabled Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
There, Mariano helped the Philippines sweep its 10 games to take home its fourth title in the continental showpiece, with Bogs Adornado snaring the MVP award.
The lefty forward played as well in the three editions where they won gold (Seoul, 1967), silver (Kuala Lumpur, 1965), and bronze (Bangkok, 1969).
Aside from his accolades overseas, Mariano was a four-time champion in the now-defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) and a two-time champion, under the late Baby Dalupan, for the once powerhouse University of the East in the UAAP way back 1960 and 1962.
After his playing years, Mariano guided the Presto franchise to a crown in the PBA All-Filipino Conference in 1990.
He also returned to his alma mater to coach the Red Warriors and spearheaded them to back-to-back diadems (1984, ‘85), the last time UE enjoyed the UAAP glory.