MANILA – Coaches and players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) who were handled and have worked with the late legendary University of Santo Tomas (UST) mentor Januario “Aric” del Rosario paid their tributes after the latter passed away on March 26.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings coach Tim Cone, whom Del Rosario served as an assistant coach before in the Alaska Aces, said that “Tatay Aric” was the “steadying influence” in the early years of his coaching career in the PBA.
“It is crushing news to me, especially at this time when I cannot pay my respects to him and his family,” said Cone. “He always kept me grounded and taught me so much about humility.”
NorthPort Batang Pier mentor Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, who played for Del Rosario’s Growling Tigers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, described his former coach as a selfless man and a caring father figure.
Jarencio said: “He was a good man and he’s like a father to me. Malaking bagay kay coach Aric ‘yung pride, pero lagi niyang sinasabi to stay humble. Iyan ang pinakatumatak sa akin na hanggang ngayon dala ko pa rin.”
NLEX Road Warriors guard Cyrus Baguio, meanwhile, credited Del Rosario for the success of his basketball career as it was the latter who took a chance on him when he tried out for UST.
“Siya ‘yung isa sa mga dahilan bakit ako naging PBA player. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya sa naging career ko sa basketball and proud din ako na isa ako sa mga naging successful players niya sa UST,” Baguio said.
“Si coach Aric ‘yung naging pangalawang tatay ko simula noong napunta ako dito sa Manila,” he added. “May similarities sila ni coach Yeng (Guiao) na parang tatay. May maririnig ka sa kanila sa tuwing may kapalpakan ka na ginawa kasi gusto nila na gumaling ka.”
Ginebra Kings guard Earl Scottie Thompson, who played for Del Rosario at the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, on the other hand, said that he was heartbroken after learning the demise of his former mentor.
“Hanggang sa PBA, dala-dala ko pa din ang laging mong sinasabi mo sa amin. Magsipag ka lang, maglaro ng maayos, magpakabait, at laging madasalin, may papupuntahan ka, bata. At higit sa lahat, tanggapin kung anong meron ka ngayon,” he said.
“Sa lahat ng mga mura at suntok mo sa aming mga players mo, ramdam namin kung gaano mo kami gusto i-push pa sa kakayanan namin,” he added. “Thank you for everything, coach Aric! You will be missed! And you will be always in our hearts! We love you, coach!”/PN
