‘Gentle Giant’ Bolado

chise, and quickly won a title for the Robert Jaworski-mentored squad.

Mr. Bolado would also win championships for Coca- Cola and Red Bull before deciding to hang his sneakers for good.

JB Baylon, long-time team manager and board governor of Coca-Cola, would recall how Mr. Bolado instantly brought his winning ways to a young Tigers team in 2002 and 2003.

“Jumbo (Bolado) was true to his moniker “lucky charm.” He brought the Coke franchise our first championship in 2002. He was a gentle giant off the court and on the court, he was our Great Wall. He’s an example of an ideal player for any team manager and governor and for a coach, I am sure. He knows his role well,” said Mr. Baylon.

Lately, he played along several members of the PBA Legends to keep himself fit until that tragic accident happened Sunday.

“He seems to be fit, strong. I could imagine because of his wide body and he’s still playing along with the Legends,” Yeng Guiao, his former coach at Red Bull said. “What I remember most about Bolado is during that time, it’s rare to find a big man as big as him who is not clumsy. He’s strong and a bit athletic. But what I like about him is he never backs down. At one time, I remember he came to the aid of a teammate who was getting it from the receiving end. It was kinda reassuring that somebody as big as Bolado would come to the rescue to back a teammate.” —