BAP hails Abaya, spiritual leader

To Filipinos he was a great statesman whose name rang in the halls of Congress. To Isabelans, he was the untiring public servant who served the longest – from 1963 to his death – in various capacities.

To basketball leaders and players, he was the spiritual leader whose inspiring words became the fire that brought Philippine basketball back on its feet during its darkest days.

"Several years ago, I didn’t know anything about Rep. Antonio Mendoza Abaya of the fourth district of Isabela. All I knew of him was that he was the Basketball Association of the Philippines’ Region 2 director," says BAP secretary general Graham Lim.

"And so when the BAP crisis of 2000 erupted, it was a fine surprise to see the very likable but tough-talking congressman pledge his support to the side of now BAP president Quinteliano "Tiny" Literal.

The late Abaya was one of BAP’s most vocal personalities who gave the BAP the big support it needed during the leadership crisis that pitted Literal against former presidential son-in-law Freddie Jalasco.

"I would say he was our secret weapon, including the late Dr. Antonio Angeles of the Angeles University Foundation who was then BAP Region 3 director, although now, the secret is definitely out," said Literal. "No one dared to question his wisdom."

"When he talked, everyone listened, even our enemies because what came out of his mouth was only the truth," said lawyer Bonifacio Alentajan, BAP legal counsel.

Abaya was elevated to the post of BAP chairman, when Literal took over as BAP president.

In the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, Abaya’s pep talk with the women’s and men’s national teams were the stuff of legends.

"He speaks with lots of authority. Makikinig ka talaga kapag nagsalita," said Marius de Guzman, who took over Abaya’s post as Region 2 director. "At saka marunong ‘yan na kumilatis sa mga magandang bagay na nakikita niya. Kapag gusto niya, sinasabi niya. He speaks his heart out."

Abaya was also president of the Philippine National Basketball Academy (PNBA).

Abaya underwent an operation last year to remove a brain tumor, but the stress of too much work in Congress apparently took its toll.

He was hospitalized again in February at St. Luke’s hospital and died on Feb. 26. He was 68.