Rey Marquez, among the early fathers of the Philippine Basketball Association, passed away Sunday.
Being prepared now is a fitting tribute by the league to Marquez, the first PBA chairman from 1987 to 1990 before serving as the league's fourth commissioner in 1990 to 1992 succeeding Rudy Salud.
"We're offering him the 'Final Buzzer,'" said current commissioner Willie Marcial in a planned tribute to Marquez who definitely had great contributions to the league.
The PBA pays tribute to Marquez on Dec. 5. Members of his family and former colleagues have been invited to grace the occasion.
Marquez is remembered in the PBA circle as a consummate professional executive who played a key role in growing the league in the 1980s and the 1990s.
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"He was a decent and proper person. He had a high sense of propriety and conducted himself like a true gentleman/sportsman," said Sonny Barrios, another former PBA top honcho, of Marquez.
"He recognized the need to have an independent Office of the Commissioner for the PBA to continue its success," Barrios added.
Marquez was the PBA's first chairman in 1987 as the position was created to supersede the previous position of PBA president. While acting as PBA chairman, Marquez remained one of Pilipinas Shell's top executives as vice president for personnel and public affairs.
"Rey Marquez's stint as former commissioner of the PBA may be short, but his contribution and the legacy he left to the league are unparalleled," said Francisco 'Butch' Alejo III, president of San Miguel PureFoods.
It was a testament to Marquez' professionalism that he was elected PBA chairman four straight years up to 1990.
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In 1992, he was named the PBA's fourth commissioner after Leo Prieto, Mariano Yenko then Salud.
As commissioner, Marquez instituted landmark changes that remain etched in the PBA's history, including the adjustment of the Philippine Cup from the last conference to the first of the season and the renaming of the Commissioner's and Governors Cups.
"The PBA will always remember Commissioner Marquez for his impartiality, honesty, vision and unflinching passion for the game we all love. Thank you Commissioner! Your memory will be forever cherished," said Marcial.
