Happy birthday, coach Ron

The man who revolutionized Philippine basketball during a legendary coaching career turns 67 today. Ron Jacobs has spent the best years of his life in the country and is probably more Filipino than a lot of Filipinos we know.

Jacobs came to Manila in 1980, fresh from being named the West Coast Athletic Association Coach of the Year for piloting Loyola Marymount University to the NCAA Tournament in a dramatic one-season turnaround after taking over the varsity reins.

It was love at first sight for Jacobs who left everything behind in Los Angeles to start a new life in a new country. He fell in love with the Philippines, settled here and developed friendships with Filipinos whom he considered to be the warmest people in the world. San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco brought Jacobs to the country and their close relationship has endured through the years.

Jacobs’ achievements in Philippine basketball history are monumental. He piloted the Philippines to a 74-63 win over powerhouse China for the Asian Youth title before an overflow crowd of over 30,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum in 1982. Among his players were Hector Calma, Ginebra San Miguel coach Joseph Uichico and former PBA coaches Derick Pumaren and Leo Austria.

In 1985, Jacobs brought more honor to the Philippines as he steered San Miguel to the Jones Cup crown in Taipei, defeating heavy favorite USA, 108-100, in overtime. Calma, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Franz Pumaren, Yves Dignadice and Tonichi Yturri were some of his players in that historic feat. Chip Engelland, Jeff Moore and Dennis Still were Jacobs’ American recruits. The US was coached by Purdue’s Gene Keady and the roster was studded with future NBA cagers Kenny Gattison, Harold Pressley, Joe Wolf and Kevin Henderson.

That same year, Jacobs took Northern Consolidated, an amateur guest club, to the PBA Third Conference championship. And in 1986, Jacobs brought the Philippines back on the Asian throne as the national squad scuttled China, 82-72, for the FIBA-Asia championship in Kuala Lumpur. His players included Calma, Caidic, Lim, Franz Pumaren, Elmer Reyes, Yves Dignadice, Still and Moore.

Without a doubt, Jacobs’ imprint on Philippine basketball is a legacy that will live forever.

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On Dec. 23, 2001, Jacobs suffered a stroke while driving home to his Pasig apartment. He had just been renamed national coach and was on the verge of laying the groundwork for the country’s big comeback as an Asian cage power.

That day, Jacobs had lunch with Ambassador Cojuangco’s brother Henry and son Kit, Uichico and wife Cathy, Allan and wife Milotte, assistant coach Binky Favis and wife Ella and his wife Menen at Le Souffle on Ortigas Avenue.

It’s been eight years since and Jacobs is still confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak and walk. But his mind remains alert. He communicates with his fingers and eyes. He smiles to show his appreciation for those who care. Menen has been a wonderful rock for Jacobs. Ambassador Cojuangco and his family continue to provide for his every need. And the millions whose lives have been touched by Jacobs in one way or another pray for his recovery and today, wish him a happy birthday.

There is a reason why God has kept Jacobs alive and it is faith that makes him strong to stay alive. On his birthday, let us thank the Lord for giving us life, for giving us coach Ron and for giving us hope that someday soon, he will be like before – walking, talking and making us better persons by his example.

We asked Uichico, Lim, Caidic and Calma for their birthday wishes and here is what they said:

Uichico: “We’ve been together through a lot of ups and downs, through thick and thin and had our share of fun and laughter. As a mentor, he demanded excellence and after every loss, he would ask me why I did this and why I did that. And I realized later on that it wasn’t what I did. It was the reason why I did things that he wanted to find out, whether it was wrong or right. And when he saw me lax, he always said, ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get’ which I carry to this day. As a father and friend, he will defend you until the end but will also tell you like he sees it. I miss the encouraging moments that I see in his eyes, joy in success and sadness in failure. When we won my first championship as head coach, I went to the stands to greet him, both of us teary-eyed. He asked ‘which is sweeter, this or the other one?’ I answered ‘this one’ and we hugged. So many stories, so many heartwarming, fond memories. I could go on and on but you won’t have enough space. To coach Ron, I can’t thank you enough for the knowledge and the time that you’ve shared with me. Happy birthday, coach. The memory lives on. It’s nice reminiscing and I can be emotional doing this. Coach Ron gave me his cap, the one he used at practice. I am humbled. There will only be one great teacher. And it is an honor being his student. Happy, blessed Christmas and may 2010 be another grace-filled year for all of us.”

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Lim: “Happy birthday, coach Ron. Thank you so much for giving me the privilege to play for your team. I will treasure everything I learned from you and all the memories of our glory days. Merry Christmas, coach, and get well soon.”

Caidic: “Coach Ron is like my second father. I owe him a lot. I missed his presence during games. My most memorable moment with coach Ron was winning over the US for the Jones Cup title in 1985. Happy birthday, coach Ron, and God bless you.”

Calma: “Coach Ron was more than just my basketball coach. He was my best friend and a father who put importance to my well-being. He is the one most responsible for setting me up for a successful basketball career. He was a great mentor and motivator and I was amazed at how he was able to unite all of us in the Northern Cement team not only as a solid team but as one big family. Today, we still remain friends and until now, I still haven’t seen another team as bonded as ours. In my personal affairs that meant so much to me, he was always present like when I got my award as Most Outstanding Kapampangan and when he stood as our ninong. He was always there for us. His home was open to me anytime of day and night and as we shared stories, I enjoyed having a pizza with him. It’s been eight years since Ron and I have not been able to chat because of his disability but I always remember our good days fondly and miss him very much when he cannot be present in the highlights of my life. I always pray that he could be better and especially, hope that he has peace in his heart. On his birthday, I wish for God to keep him in comfort and hope that one day, he can walk and talk again so we can share stories and a pizza like old times.”

To a basketball legend, a dear friend and a man of substance, happy birthday. It’s an honor to know someone like coach Ron.