The PBA and the rest of the basketball community on Wednesday mourned the loss of former player Joey Mente, who passed away at age 42 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Mente played seven years in the PBA from 2001 to 2008, most notably with the San Miguel Beermen where he won two championships and a Slam Dunk title during his rookie season.
He was also known for his joyful personality, something that left a lasting impression among former teammates and peers.
"Nakakalungkot kasi masayahing tao siya pag nakakasama namin," said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. "Mahilig kumanta yun, masayahing tao. Yung huling kita ko sa kanya, masigla pa siya kaya di ko aakalain na tatamaan siya ng ganun."
The league held a final buzzer and a minute of silence before the Magnolia-NLEX match on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Mente's honor.
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Mente was diagnosed with tumors on his brain and lungs last December. The PBA and his former teams San Miguel and Rain or Shine provided financial support while former Shell and Talk 'N Text player Mark Telan held a charity golf tournament last February to aid Mente's cause.
After playing college at Lyceum of the Philippines in Intramuros, Mente played for the Iloilo Megavoltz in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998 to 2000, with former PBA cagers Vince Hizon, Dale Singson, Yoyoy Villamin, Dong Polistico and Joey Sta. Maria as teammates.
He then transferred to the PBA in 2001, selected 10th overall by San Miguel in the draft.
The Beermen won the All-Filipino championship in his first conference, playing as a third-string guard behind Olsen Racela and Boybits Victoria.
Mente dazzled the fans later that year, claiming the Slam Dunk crown by edging fellow rookie John Arigo of Alaska in the finals.
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His second championship with the Beermen came in the 2005 Fiesta Conference before suiting up for Welcoat (now-Rain or Shine) from 2006 to 2008.
"Joey was fun loving, always had a happy disposition and was full of energy!" said Mente's former San Miguel coach Jong Uichico. (JT)
