Ex-BAP prexy passes away

CEBU, Philippines - Former Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) Quintellano Z. Literal fondly called by his intimates as Tiny, passed away recently. He was 77 years old.

He is survived by his wife Febes Dalman Literal and six children — Arlene, Vincent, Maita, Roy, Maan and Paul.

Literal served as BAP president from January 2001 up to 2005 and was replaced by former Senator Jose D. Lina due to health problems.

Lina took over at the helm of BAP at the height of the squabble with Philippine Olympic Committee leadership that instigated to expel BAP as member of the POC family that also led to the latter’s suspension from FIBA-Asia.

A former Ateneo Blue Eagle, who made huge contribution to their varsity team, Literal was inducted by the Ateneo de Manila University Alumni Association president Ramon O. Cojuangco, Jr. into the Ateneo Hall of Fame in December 2005.

He led the Eagles to their 1953 NCAA championship. He was also a former national player.     Literal was born on April 13, 1933 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. He was interred yesterday morning.

He was the BAP president when they entered into an agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) then led by Sen. Lina in June 2003 making the BAP and DILG as partners in the development of basketball in the country.

In 2002, Literal led the Philippine sports delegation to the 17th FIBA World Congress in Indianapolis in Indiana, USA. (FREEMAN)