PHI - Former FIBA President passes away

MANILA - The world basketball family has started to pay its respects in the wake of the sudden death of former FIBA President Gonzalo 'Lito' Puyat II who passed away suddenly last weekend at the age of 79.

The first Filipino to ever hold a position at the helm of a world sporting organisation, Puyat initially cut his teeth with the Philippines Basketball Federation where he also served as President.

He was appointed as FIBA President in 1976, a post he held until 1984.

"He was the first president of FIBA that I worked with after I became Secretary General," recalled FIBA Secretary General Emeritus Borislav Stankovic.

"He was one of the presidents to come from outside of Europe and this was a great experience for FIBA. We worked very well together and he was passionate about basketball.

"It's very sad to hear that he has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family."

During his term, Puyat brought the FIBA World Championship to his homeland in 1978 which was a real highlight for him personally and also for basketball in the Philippines, as Yugoslavia topped the podium at the Areneta Coliseum in front of some fanatical home fans.

It also went some way to making up for his involvement in a colourful domestic row with officials of the Manila Inter-Commercial Athletic Association three years earlier which incidentally, ultimately led to the formation of the Philippine Basketball Association which became Asia's first paid professional league.

From 1984 to 1986, Puyat served in the Batasang Pambansa, the former Philippines National Assembly and was also a two-time councillor in Manila.

As well as being a politician and keen sports and basketball advocate, Puyat also had real business skills and was the chair of Manila Bankers Life Insurance Corp as well as a Director for Abacus Consolidated Resources and Holdings.

Moying Martelino, who served under Puyat as Secretary General in the Philippines said news of his friend's heart attack and subsequent death had left him stunned.

"I couldn't help but feel sad," said Martelino, who went on to become the Secretary General of the Asian Basketball Confederation, before the organisation evolved into FIBA Asia.

"He was my buddy and we go a long, long way back" he added.

FIBA