MANILA, PHILIPPINES — On Wednesday, March 1, former PBA star Emmanuel “Boybits” Victoria died at the age of 50 due to a heart attack.
His son, Nathan, confirmed on social media the passing of the seven-time PBA champion after reports that he underwent an angioplasty not long ago.
“Rest well up there dad, you have nothing else to do except watch me grow into who I’m supposed to be,” Nathan, also a basketball player who recently joined the St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA, wrote on Facebook.
“Will always dedicate everything to you,” he added.
In 2018, Victoria was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. However, this condition eventually improved after weeks of medication in the hospital.
Victoria, who was drafted by Swift after his collegiate career with San Beda, won the PBA Rookie of the Year award in 1994.
The 5-foot-11 point guard led the renamed Sunkist team to a near-Grandslam in 1995 when the Orange Juicers beat the Alaska Milkmen twice for the All-Filipino and Commissioner’s Cup titles.
Vergel Meneses, the 1995 Most Valuable Player, Bonel Balingit, Nelson Asaytono, Al Solis, and Yoyoy Villamin were the other key members of the team.
Victoria played three more seasons before joining San Miguel as a backup point guard to Olsen Racela in 1999.
He fit right in and became part of the Berrman teams that won five championship titles from 1999 to 2001, starred by Racela, Danny Seigle, and Danny Ildefonso.
Tributes for Boybits Victoria
After the sudden demise of the Former PBA star Boybits Victoria, people who knew him paid their tributes on social media.
Coach Vinz Chronicles posted, “Our deepest and sincerest sympathy and condolence to the bereaved family of Boybits Victoria. Your legacy will remain to all of us. May you rest and peace.”
Peter Regaldo Lopez wrote, “Still in shock, man. Out of a whim while leafing through an old PBA hardbound book yesterday, saw an image of BSC Marketing ‘mate taken during his rookie season. Matched up against fellow Red Cub legend, Gerry Esplana.”
“So easily at the drop of a hat, the Bedan narrative was a gimme. Was locked in as I typed on the keyboard and while words generously flowed freely, I remained clueless about his condition. Yet, found it as a consolation, I saw him ‘hearting’ my post. Prolly he read it too,” he added.
–WhatALife!/Charles
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