The greatest coach to ever grace Philippine basketball passed away Thursday morning.
Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan died at his home in Quezon City due to Pneumonia. He was 92.
The legend of the Maestro began with the University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP. With him at the helm, the Red Warriors won an unprecedented 12 championships spanning 1955 to 1972.
Moving on to the pros in 1975, Dalupan continued his winning ways, mentoring multiple club teams to the championship including the celebrated Crispa Redmanizers. He won nine championships with the Redmanizers while adding five more crowns with the Great Taste Discoverers. His last PBA championship was with Purefoods back in 1991.
Wanting to go full circle before he stepped away from coaching, the multi-titled coach went back to Katipunan to mentor the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in 1993. He won two NCAA championships with his alma mater.
Dalupan made one last appearance as a coach 11 years ago in an exhibition game dubbed as the “Greatest Game.” The Dalupan-coached Touch Mobile Greats defeated the TM Legends, mentored by former senator Robert Jaworski, 96-92.
The legend’s body will lie in state at the chapel of the Ateneo de Manila University. Details of the services will follow.
