Basketball legend Jota, 76

MANILA, Philippines - Former basketball star Cesar Jota, who played for San Beda College and the Ysmael Steel Admirals, passed away yesterday due to stroke. He was 76.

Called the “Spinning J” Jota, a colorful pointmaker, was a teammate of the great Carlos Loyzaga at San Beda and was with Olympians Narciso Bernardo and Alfonso Marquez at Ysmael Steel at the height of the Admirals’ fabled rivalry with the Yco Painters.

Jota had been living in the United States but he came home recently to visit an ailing brother.

He suffered a stroke a few days ago and was confined at the Makati Medical Center.

He was survived by children Maricar, Dides, Chemari and John Paul. Jota’s wife, Gennie, who worked for Fr. Peyton’s family rosary crusade, passed away last year.

Jota’s remains were scheduled to be brought to Merville Park Chapel in Parañaque last night.