TRIBUTE TO GONZALO 'LITO' PUYAT
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 08 Jan 2013
MANILA (PNA) - In the international basketball scene, they called him ?Lito,? the two-term International Basketball Federation president who stood at the forefront of the fight for open basketball and contributed greatly to its success. As vice president of the then Asian Basketball confederation (now FIBA-Asia), Gonzalo Puyat II sought the inclusion of youth basketball, particularly the junior championship, which, up to this days, is in the confederation?s order of activities.
As a long-time head of the now-defunct Basketball association of the Philippines (now Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas), ?Tolits,? or ?Spar,? or simply ?Par,? to the local sports community, or ?Ling? to relatives and closest friends, was the man responsible for lifting of suspension imposed by FIBA in the early 60's and bringing to this shore the World Basketball Championship, thus, gifting the Philippines the distinction as the first in Asia to host the prestigious tournament among the best basketball-playing nations on planet earth.
The suspension came about when in 1962, the Philippines was awarded the right to host the world tourney for the first time, but a diplomatic booboo by the government barring entry of Yugoslavia and other socialist nations entry denied the country that honor and reducing the meet to mere invitational.
While his fight for the inclusion of professional players saw fruition in the United States and elsewhere in the world that saw old time greats Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan in the 90s present day heroes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James play in the Olympic Games, world championship and all FIBA-sanctioned major international competitions, Puyat?s obsession to see the best Filipino players see action and lead the nation qualify in those, remained just that, a dream.
Puyat died of asthma and its complications last Monday with sports, basketball in particular, still running in his blood. He was to celebrate his 80th birthday on May 31 this year.
While this descendant of the rich and powerful Puyat and Gil families of Manila and Pampanga relished the many accomplishments he had contributed in the growth of his favorite sport not only in the Philippines and in Asia but, likewise, in the world, ?Spar? took pride more in his presiding over the 1978 World Championship, which was to become the yardstick of all the following tournaments.
?That inaanak (Puyat was one of this writer?s and wife Annie?s wedding sponsors) is, up to this day, the most organized and successful world championships ever,? Puyat told People?s Journal and several selected sportswriters in one of the many drinking sessions he hosted. ?And that was one of the things I am very proud I have done in my life na mabigyan ng napakalaking karangalan ang ating bansa in the eyes, not only of our Asian neighbors but of the entire universe.?
Indeed it was because that 1978 seventh edition of the world championship, was for the first time in it?s 28th year history, held in two venues ? the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the air-conditioned Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Rizal hoophouse inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex might not have the first class amenities offered by its Quezon City counterpart, but it was a vast improvement from an ancient court encased in a wire cage of the ol Luna Park Stadium, site of the tournament?s first staging in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Or the open-air venue in a football field in Santiago, Chile in 1959 and the infamous ?frigidaire? arena in an old building swept by biting snow-winds from the Pole in Montevideo in Uruguay in 1967.
All the 12 participating teams and delegations were billeted in Manila?s five-star hotels. All delegation heads were accorded with air-conditioned limousines.
For two weeks from Oct. 1-14, the entire universe was treated to first class basketball by the competing teams headed by defending champion Soviet Union and eventual winner Yugoslavia, who, in return savored the world-famous friendship and hospitality of the Filipino people.
No less than Russian world chess champion Anatoly Karpov was on hand to watch the championship game between the Soviets and the Slavs. He was to return to Baguio City where he was defending his crown against Switzerland?s Viktor Korchnoi frustrated by the Soviets? loss.
Puyat, a public servant on the side having been a councilor of Manila two times and assemblyman, was a recipient of numerous awards for his exemplary and unselfish service to sports, including the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1972, the Philippine Olympic Committee Gold Medallion for sports leadership in 1986.
FIBA conferred on him its First Order of Merit award in its congress in 1994 during the world championship that year in Toronto. In July, 2000, during the 40th anniversary of the then ABC in Kuala Lumpur Puyat, along with its founders, including founding president, former Senator Ambrosio Padilla and secretary general Dioniso Calvo, were honored with recognition.
Puyat?s leadership acumen ran deep in the blood. He was the grandson of the late Don Gonzalo Puyat. a namesake and noted pioneer industrialist and founder of Don Gonzalo Puyat Sons. His maternal grandfather, the late Don Pedro Gil, was former assemblyman. His uncle Gil Puyat, was a four-term senator who became senate president and head of the Grand Old Nacionalista Party .He was the son son Deogracias Puyat, a member of the undefeated debating team of the University of the Philippines during his college days, and Patria Gil-Puyat.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Stanford University’s Dante Kirkman Set to Return to the Ring at Fox Theater in Redwood City, CA
Sat, 02 Nov 2024EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM PROVIDES MAJOR FINANCIAL BOOST TO 100 UK AMATEUR BOXING CLUBS IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE
Sat, 02 Nov 2024The Scariest Division in Boxing
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 01 Nov 2024"Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
Fri, 01 Nov 2024SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 01 Nov 2024WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Team USA Sends Five Boxers to the World Boxing U19 Championship Finals and a Chance at Gold
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Press Conference Notes: Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster Promise to Settle Rivalry in Saturday's World Title Rematch
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Undefeated bantamweight prospect Dominique “Dimes” Crowder Ready to cash in on The Boardwalk
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Kevin Arquero rules 3rd Fide Master Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Plania stops Julio in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024MARIO "EL AZTECA" BARRIOS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Mama fails to win WBO NABO fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Top Rank Presents Junior Lightweight World Championship: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries
Thu, 31 Oct 2024