UV Lancers basketball legend Filomeno “Minoy” Chuntic dies at 84
Cebuano basketball great Filomeno “Minoy” Chuntic passed away last Saturday, January 27. He was 84.
The sad news came just four days after Chuntic was honored among the “Living Legends” of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers during their Grand Reunion on January 23.
Chuntic was team captain of the UV Green Lancers that dominated the prestigious National Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championships two times in 1964 and 1967.
Chuntic and the Green Lancers under the guidance of coach Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas stunned the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors mentored by the legendary Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan in the semifinals of the 1967 National Inter-Collegiate Championships held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The Lancers eventually seized the crown after outclassing their bitter rivals Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in the tournament’s historic first all-Cebu finals.
Chuntic’s teammates at that time were Raul “Ula” Latonio, Bobby Callelero, Dico Balagtas, Tito Achumbre, Ernesto Bustamante, Max Añora, and Antolin Grafe among others.
Chuntic was also twice an Olympic nominee for the Philippine national team in 1964 and 1968.
Beyond the playing court, Chuntic excelled as a public servant. He was once feted as Most Outstanding Barangay Treasurer of Cebu City and a Ten Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY) awardee way back in 2000.
Chuntic’s body lies at Room 204 of St. Peter Memorial Chapel on Imus Avenue, Cebu City. A requiem mass will be celebrated at Sto. Rosario Parish Church before the interment at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, at the Carreta Catholic Cemetery.