Aric del Rosario, beloved UST and Pampanga coach, passes away

March 27 ------ ARIC Del Rosario, one of the most successful and well-loved coaches in Philippine basketball, died on Wednesday night due to cardiac arrest. Fellow coach Ato Badolato confirmed the sad news of Del Rosario’s death that came as the country is battling the crippling effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He turned 80 last January 5.

Del Rosario, according to friends of the family, was brought to the hospital due to cough and difficulty of breathing and was reportedly tested for COVID-19, although result of the test has yet to be known. While with UST, he also served as one of the long-time deputies of coach Tim Cone of Alaska and was part of the team that won the PBA grand slam in 1996.

He likewise piloted the Pampanga Dragons to the inaugural Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) title in 1998 and later, served as coach of the men’s national team that bagged the gold medal in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam. His last coaching stints were with University of Perpetual Help alongside son Lester in the NCAA and Paranaque in the MPBL.

Source: spin.ph