Cage legend Florencio dies

Danny Florencio, known as the original “Skywalker” for his acrobatic moves during a storied basketball career, passed away Saturday morning. He was 70.

Toti Bautista, a close friend of Florencio, told the Bulletin that the member of the 1968 and 1972 Olympic teams died after suffering a stroke in Pittsburgh, California where he was based.

“First time na nangyari sa kanya yun,” said Bautista.

Listed at 5-foot-10, Florencio first made his mark at University of Santo Tomas, scoring 40 points in a losing effort against University of the East in the 1965 UAAP finals.

Two years later, Florencio helped the Philippines recapture the ABC Championship, beating host South Korea, 83-80, in Seoul. He made a crucial shot and two pressure-packed free throws in the dying seconds to seal the victory for the Filipino cagers.

He played for YCO and Crispa in the MICAA before beginning a nineyear pro career when the PBA was launched in 1975.

After starting his PBA stint with U-Tex, Florencio joined 7-Up where he averaged 32.3 points per game in 1977. It was in November of that same year that saw Florencio scoring a then-record 64 points in the Uncolas’ 136-121 loss to the Toyota Tamaraws.

Florencio would play for Toyota from 1978 to 1982 before ending his career with Galerie Dominique in 1983.