FORMER FIBA PRESIDENT PUYAT DEAD AT 79
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 07 Jan 2013
MANILA (PNA) - Former two-time International Basketball Federation President Gonzalo ??Lito? Puyat II died after complaining of asthma early yesterday morning. In his term as president, the proposal was made to open basketball competitions to professional players.
Puyat, a scion of rich and powerful Puyat and Gil families in Manila, who was elected as FIBA top honcho in 1976 during the Montreal Olympic Games and was re-elected in 1984, had just turned 79 last May 21.
He was, up to the present time the first and only Filipino and Asian for that matter to have been voted upon as head of world basketball?s governing body.
It was during Puyat?s second term as FIBA president when serious efforts make basketball open to both amateur and professional players in all regional and international competitions. Puyat, then FIBA honorary president, along with long-time secretary general Boris Stankovic, that the door for the pros to see action in all FIBA-sanctioned tournaments was finally given a go by the FIBA Central Board in 1989.
The FIBA approval of the proposal paved the way for the birth of the first U.S. ?Dream Team? made up of, among others, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Charles Barkley to see action in the 1992 Olympic Games.
Puyat also earned the distinction as the longest-serving president of the now-defunct Basketball Association of the Philippines which he served from 1969 to 1995. Puyat was responsible for the Philippine?s hosting of the 1978 world championship considered as the most successful ever.
Arrangements for viewing and interment will be announced later.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026