Rolly Africa Manlapaz (September 3, 1960-Setepmber 27, 2018) passed away Thursday afternoon after a four-month battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 58.
He was pronounced dead at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center at 1:10pm. He was surrounded by his family members.
Manlapaz’s last call was four months ago during the UAAP Volleyball Tournament. Every game day, he would always have a discomfort with his back. However, he would soldier on, always saying that he had a job to fulfill.
Manlapaz started his career in sports back in 1998 with the Philippine Basketball Association.
He is credited for numerous nicknames for star players like Calvin Abueva (The Beast), Ronald Tubid (The Saint), and Alyssa Valdez (The Phenom).
In 2013, he would find home in the collegiate circuit as he would be a fixture in the UAAP and NCAA games. Later on, he also became the voice of volleyball league PSL.
“I fear to commit mistakes that is why I memorize all the rules and even names because I cannot excuse being human with this job,” Malapaz would always say.
This passion for his job made him a respected and beloved figure in Philippine sports.
Erratum: Tiebreaker Times initially published that Manlapaz was 53 years old.
