Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 2) — Basketball legend Emmanuel “Boybits” Victoria died on Wednesday after suffering from heart attack, his family confirmed.
He was 50 years old.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce our dad’s death from acute myocardial infarction and he was pronounced dead at 6:55 pm at San Juan De Dios Manila,” his children said in a post using his Facebook account.
According to his daughter, the seven-time PBA champion also had a heart attack two weeks ago.
“He had a heart attack last Feb. 14 first and they discovered the acute myocardial infarction. Then he had another heart attack last night,” Ciaz Victoria said in a message.
Victoria was part of the San Beda Red Lions in college before joining the PBA and being named Rookie of the Year in 1994.
The former PBA guard played for the RFM and San Miguel franchises.
In 2018, he also battled with Guillain-Barré Syndrome wherein the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, a rare disorder which he later recovered from.
His family said his funeral will be open to the public.
“To those who wish to see him, his viewing will be at Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium, Sucat from March 2, Thursday around 10 am to March 5, Sunday around 10 am,” the post read.
“His cremation will be on March 5, Sunday at 11 am also to be held at Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium, Sucat,” it added.
