Metro Manila, Philippines – Two-time Olympian and PBA champion coach Jimmy Mariano died on Sunday, Dec. 7. He was 84.
“Our prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones of former PBA player and Presto champion coach Mr. Jimmy Mariano,” the PBA said in a social media post.
The Malabon native played for legendary coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan at University of the East (UE), where he won two UAAP titles in 1960 and 1962 as a player.
He represented the Philippines in the 1968 Mexico Olympics and 1972 Munich Olympics, where he served as the country’s flag bearer.
Mariano also helped the country capture the ABC Championship (now called the FIBA Asia Cup) gold medals in 1967 and 1973.
He then returned to his alma mater and steered UE to back-to-back UAAP titles in 1984 and 1985, the last time the school won in men’s basketball.
As a head coach in the PBA, Mariano led Presto to the All-Filipino title in 1990.
