JANUARIO “Aric” del Rosario wiped his tears as he rode on the shoulders of supporters shortly after the UST Growling Tigers completed a 14-0 sweep on their way to the UAAP basketball championship in 1993.
After more than two decades, the Tigers bagged Philippine collegiate basketball’s most prestigious title, thanks to a mighty crew led by the likes of Dennis Espino and Bal David, and a coach who never stopped believing.
Del Rosario, who passed away at age 80 last March 26, went on to lead UST to a rare four consecutive UAAP titles in the 90s.
“(He) accomplished what his past nine predecessors failed to do, to steer Thomasians to the top position in the country’s collegiate basketball scene,” according to an article at the Varsitarian Sports in 1993.
Thus explains why he is sorely missed by the UST community where he also made his mark outside the basketball court.
“Aric was not selfish (or) self-indulgent. He would not get jealous even if you were the one in the spotlight,” UST judo coach Alberto “Jojo” Arce told the Varsitarian.
“Most of his athletes called him ‘Tatay Aric’ because they learned a lot from him.”
Influence
After UST, Del Rosario guided the Philippine team to the gold medal in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games.
Among those he inspired was Tim Cone, arguably the greatest PBA coach of all time and to whom he served as an assistant on the bench.
“He was such an influence early in my coaching career, teaching me about humility and compassion. He touched so many lives through his journey. He will be terribly missed,” Cone tweeted.
Del Rosario served as an assistant coach for PBA teams Alaska Aces and Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals and was commissioner of the NCAA from 2009 to 2011.
He resumed his collegiate coaching stint with the University of Perpetual Help Altas from 2012 to 2015.
As a player, Del Rosario won a UAAP championship while playing for the Glowing Goldies in 1964. Malic U. Cotongan and Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr.
