A man for all seasons

MANILA, Philippines - In the history of Philippine sports, there will never be anyone quite like Leo Prieto. The former PBA commissioner left an indelible imprint that will forever shine as a monument to his honesty, love for the game, vision and commitment to the common good.

Prieto served eight years as the founding PBA commissioner, getting the league off to a running start in 1975. He was succeeded by Col. Mariano Yenko in 1983.

But before turning the dream of creating Asia’s first play-for-pay league into reality, Prieto was a storied basketball coach. In 1956, he piloted the Philippine team to seventh place at the Melbourne Olympics. There were 15 teams entered in the tournament and the Philippines beat Thailand, 55-44, Japan, 76-61, France, 65-58 and Chile, 75-68, while losing to eventual champion US, 121-53, Uruguay, 79-70, Chile, 88-69 and Bulgaria, 80-70.

Prieto’s Olympic team listed skipper Tony Genato, Caloy Loyzaga, Ramoncito Campos, Eddie Lim, Bonnie Carbonell, Carlos Badion, Mon Manulat, Piling Barretto, Nano Tolentino, Martin Urra, Antonio Villamor and Leonardo Marquicias with Francis Wilson and Mario Ballesteros as alternates. Beating fourth placer France in the preliminaries was a highlight and pushing bronze medalist Uruguay to the limit was another feat. Defeating Chile in a rematch for seventh place after losing to the same team in the preliminaries ended the campaign on a high note. The US team, however, was beyond reach with stars like Bill Russell and K. C. Jones.

It was in 1949 when Prieto, a former La Salle junior and senior cager, began his coaching career with YCO in the commercial circuit. He piloted the Painters to a string of national championships, including seven straight, up to 1957.

Although known for his achievements in basketball, Prieto had a passion for football, too, and formed the Boys Football Association (BOFA) to bring kids close to the game in the 1970s. A few years ago, BOFA - still going strong - kicked off its season with the Leo Prieto Cup in honor of the man who gave so much to sports.

Horseracing was another passion for Prieto who served as president of the Manila Jockey Club. In business, Prieto was just as successful, overseeing a vast food enterprise whose well-known brands include Shakey’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts and Racks.

During his term as PBA commissioner, Prieto took basketball to the next level and provided fans with a vehicle to enjoy sports entertainment. His vision opened opportunities for talented players to make a living in the sport that Filipinos love. Today, the PBA is a multi-million peso enterprise that employs hundreds – from coaches to players to ballboys to physical therapists to communications officers.

What endeared Prieto to fans was his integrity. He brought honor and respect to the game with his uncompromising principles. Prieto raised the bar of quality performance in the PBA and the league has never looked back.

While he had a soft heart, Prieto was stern and strict in dealing with those who crossed the line. He enforced the rules and demanded compliance because he knew, in the long run, it was the key to the PBA passing the test of time.

Even as he retired from the PBA in 1982, Prieto never left the league. He often showed up at the stadium to enjoy the games and talk basketball with the fans. He continued to host lunches for sportswriters, serving the snipes he downed in hunting trips. He took every opportunity to stay close to the game and the people who shared his passion for it.

“It’s hard to get away from something you’ve known for so long,” he once said. “It will not be the same after the PBA. I have enjoyed my job. I had the good fortune of working with good people. The Board of Governors respected and trusted me, the staff was very supportive and I got cooperation from everyone, especially the media.”

A stroke limited Prieto’s mobility several years ago and he missed his hunting and fishing trips with dear friends like the late Pepe Esteva. He used to report for physical therapy under Dr. Tyrone Reyes’ guidance and cheerfully engaged those he came across in the rehab clinic with lively discussions about sports.

Prieto passed away last Tuesday and would’ve turned 89 on May 19. He is survived by his wife Mary (the actress Yolanda Marquez), children Mike, Leo Jr. and Marilou (oldest son Tony is deceased) and seven grandchildren. His remains will be interred after the 10 a.m. Mass at the San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati, today.