PBA mourns passing of legendary coach Baby Dalupan

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on Thursday mourned the passing of Grand Slam coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.

Dalupan died Wednesday night due to pneumonia complications. He was 92. 

PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa mourned the passing of his former coach and mentor who he called as "an imaginative mentor, and artists with delicate brush strokes molding obscure fellows into methodical conspiring cage killers."

"All throughout his career, he conducted himself with integrity, dignity, class, decency and respect for others. Yet in spite of all his achievements and recognitions, the man remained incredibly humble. He raised the prestige of a basketball coach so high that he inspired many others to follow in his footsteps," Narvasa said in a statement released by the PBA in its official Facebook page.

Former PBA MVP Ricardo Brown was among the first to confirm the news of Dalupan's death on his Facebook page.

“A true iconic, Philippine Basketball legend like no other left us all last evening. You can rest in peace now, Coach,” Brown said, a former player of Dalupan at Great Taste.

Dalupan, a former national coach, was also honored by esrtwhile and current Gilas Pilipinas coaches Chot Reyes and Tab Baldwin.

Just got word that my inspiration, mentor, friend - The Maestro, Coach Baby Dalupan passed last night. What a sad day for Phil basketball

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 18, 2016

RIP Coaching legend Baby Dalupan. Condolences to your family.  https://t.co/s6QtZwTa0J

— Tab Baldwin (@iHob1111) August 18, 2016

Rafe Bartholomew, author of Pacific Rims – a book featuring the Philippine basketball scene – shared his favorite notes from the legendary coach.

A favorite anecdote from Pacific Rims, re: the fame of Crispa-Toyota. RIP and maraming salamat, Coach Baby Dalupan. pic.twitter.com/R9LXAq2t15

— Rafe Bartholomew (@Rafeboogs) August 17, 2016

Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, also a Grand Slam tactician, called on the PBA to honor Dalupan whom he referred to as the GOAT (greatest of all time).

What I will remember about Coach Baby is how far ahead of his time he was, and what a wonderful father he was to his daughters. #GOAT

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) August 18, 2016

Other PBA coaches and players also gave their tributes and condolences to the Dalupan family.

RIP to the Maestro, Coach Baby Dalupan. Philippine basketball lost a great one today.

— Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) August 18, 2016

RIP Coach Baby Dalupan ????????

— Calvin Abueva (@8AbuevaCalvin) August 18, 2016

Tho it's a sad day today as we lost a legend. Lets rejoice for everything Coach Baby Dalupan has done for PI basketball. Rest in peace

— Jared Dillinger (@JDHawaii20) August 18, 2016

Rest in Peace to Coach Baby Dalupan! A very sad day for Philippine Basketball! #Legend

— Kevin Louie Alas (@kevinlouiealas) August 18, 2016

RIP Coach Baby Dalupan ???????????????????????? #legend

— Jeff Cariaso (@thejet_22) August 18, 2016

Dalupan's wake will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University chapel on Friday. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News