BONG Ravena remembered with fondness the late Emilio 'Nonoy' Chuatico, his former teammate both with Purefoods in the PBA and the Philippine men's squad.
The TnT Tropang Giga coach recalled how he forged a close bond with the former Ateneo standout during their time together with the national team.
"He was my roommate kasi sa RP team when we played in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games in Manila. Doon ko talaga siya nakilala," he said of the 55-year-old Chuatico, who passed away in the US just on the second day of 2021 following a long bout with cancer.
With Chuatico serving as captain of the team coached by Francis Rodriguez, the Philippines went on to regain the basketball gold the country lost to Malaysia in 1989.
A year after, both Ravena and Chuatico applied for the PBA draft, with the TnT coach being selected by San Miguel with the no. 5 overall pick.
Sponsored content: Chuatico was likewise a first round draftee, handpicked by Barangay Ginebra at no. 8.
But the two eventually found themselves playing together for Purefoods in 1995 when Chuatico was dealt by Ginebra in a trade for Vince Hizon and a first round pick. Ravena was acquired a year earlier in a deal involving big man Kevin Ramas.
"Doon nagkasama ulit kami sa Purefoods," said the 50-year-old mentor and former Rookie of the Year.
It was a short-lived reunion though as Chuatico would find himself out of the league after the season.
Nonetheless, it only enriched the friendship between the two former national team players.
Sponsored content: "Si Nonoy ay isa sa pinaka-masipag at mabait na player na nakasama ko," said Ravena of his fellow Ilonggo.
Ravena was just one of the many friends of the late Ateneo team captain, both from the basketball world and outside of it, to condole with the family of Chuatico, who is survived by his mother Milagros, siblings Chao
Espaldon, Paul, and Bibo, and daughters Danni, Quita, and Yena. (RG)
