BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Nic Jorge, a former basketball coach whose biggest contribution was his grassroots development program, died in his sleep on Saturday.
He was 78.
As a coach, Jorge called the shots for the Philippine Team during the 1978 Manila FIBA World Championships (now known as the World Cup) that finished eighth overall.
A beloved sports figure, Jorge became the youngest to coach the University of the Philippines Maroons when he was named to handle the squad at 21in the 70s. He also handled the Manhattan Shirtmakers in the PBA back in 1983.
That same year, Jorge also called the shots for the Singapore national team when it staged the Southeast Asian Games.
After his coaching stint, he served as Secretary-General in the 80s with the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), which has been replaced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipines where he is also an active member with his grassroots program.
Jorge is survived by wife Marlyn, three children Monica, Veronica and Nicky, as well their grandchildren. His body will be cremated Saturday.
In 1978, he founded the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center (Best Center) ‒ the pioneering sports clinician that launched the careers of many basketball stars that included Benjie Paras, Jerry Codiñera, Boybits Victoria, Jun Limpot, Rey Evangelista, Patrick Fran, Paolo Mendoza, Chris Tiu, Joseph Yeo, Larry Fonacier and Kiefer Ravena.
Bernie Atienza, the SBP Deputy Executive Director and a close friend of Jorge, said Jorge will be missed for so many ways – his camaraderie and bright ideas.
Unknown to many, Jorge was one of the silent workers who strove to form what was then known as the “basketball superbody” that aimed to replace the dysfunctional Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), in which he served as secretary-general.
Along with then PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino and former Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Secretary-General Mauricio “Moying” Martelino, it was the trio which convinced industrialist Manny V. Pangilinan to take the helm of the country’s basketball program.