Paing For All Seasons

Relevant is an appropriate description of Rafael (Paing) Hechanova because at every stage of his life, in whatever era, he made a difference in people’s lives. He is particularly loved by athletes because sports has always been and remains close to his heart. Today, Tito Paing is still actively involved with the Philippine Olympians Association (POA) of which he was the founding chairman in 2002. His views on Olympism, the values inherent in sports and the spirit of nationalism on the field of competition are a time-honored testament of his legacy.

On a personal note, I cherish Tito Paing’s phone calls, texts, messages and reminders. Whenever there is a burning issue on sports, Tito Paing never fails to share his thoughts and comments. Whenever there is a lesson to learn from an episode in sports, Tito Paing calls attention to it because his preoccupation is to make better persons of us all. He speaks not only from experience but also from the heart. 

It was in 1951 when Tito Paing shone brightly as a basketball star. He was named Mr. Basketball by the Philippine Sportswriters Association that year for skippering UST to multiple championships, including the UAAP, Intercollegiate and National titles. That led to Tito Paing joining the Philippine team that placed ninth of 23 teams at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Among Tito Paing’s teammates were Caloy Loyzaga, Tony Genato, Pons Saldana, Pocholo Martinez, Nano Tolentino and Ramoncito Campos with Fely Fajardo as coach.

Tito Paing was the Philippine team’s stopper. Tito Tony Genato said he was a hard-nosed defender who had “an incredible range of vision.” Tito Paing was known more for his defense than his offense. At the 1952 Olympics, he scored four points but made his presence felt in defense as the Philippines upset Canada, 81-65. It was Canada’s worst loss in Helsinki as the two other setbacks were to Brazil by two and Argentina by one.

Tito Paing was a mainstay of two Philippine championship teams at the Asian Games in 1951 and 1954. The Asian Games were inaugurated in New Delhi in 1951 with basketball coach Chito Calvo leading the Philippines to the gold medal. Loyzaga, Bay Mumar, Tolentino, Martinez, Luis Lorenzo and Kiko Calilan were among Tito Paing’s teammates that year. When Manila hosted the Asiad in 1954, it was coach Herr Silva’s turn to pilot the national team to the top. Nap Flores, Eddie Lim, Genato, Francisco Rabat, Mon Manulat, Saldana, Loyzaga, Mumar, Ning Ramos and Genato were among Tito Paing’s teammates.

The Philippines has won four gold medals in basketball at the Asian Games but the last was in 1962. The closest the Philippines came to a fifth gold medal was in 1990 when the national team settled for the silver. This year, the Philippines will attempt to regain supremacy in basketball at the Asian Games in Indonesia. It would be a fitting tribute to Tito Paing if Gilas is able to duplicate what he did for the Philippines in 1951 and 1954.

At the commercial level, Tito Paing was enlisted by the YCO Painters. In 1955, he was on the YCO squad that played exhibition games in Spain under coach Leo Prieto. Lim, Loyzaga, Genato, Pablo Cuna, Martinez, Campos and Tito Eduque were Tito Paing’s teammates on the tour that was cited in Spanish writer Francisco Font’s book “El Libro de Oro del Basket.” Font said Spanish fans were “enthralled” by YCO’s technique, skills and innovative plays.

After his playing days were over, Tito Paing continued to make his mark in sports as president of the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), the forerunner of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) which was founded in 1975. He also played a key role in promoting the Concepcion Carriers as a founding franchise in the PBA. Although retired as an active performer on the court, Tito Paing remained relevant as a guiding light in Philippine basketball.

In 2000, Tito Paing was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame with Martinez, Francisco Vestil and Mumar. Two years later, he established the POA. “We want to spread throughout the country the importance of the Olympics and the Olympic ideals,” said Tito Paing. “We’re encouraging our youth to go into sports so they will not turn to drugs or be glued to their gadgets. We need to care for ourselves physically and there’s no better time to begin this culture and value than when kids are young.”

Tito Paing also said POA is committed to assist Olympians in securing health insurance and is coordinating with the World Olympians Association to provide for their welfare through education. An architect, Tito Paing made a name for himself as a builder of concrete structures and life’s lessons.  

Tito Paing turned 90 last July 8 as family and friends celebrated the wonderful life of a true sportsman for all seasons, an athlete who transcended sports by setting an example of an outstanding role model for the world to emulate, regardless of age, distance, social status, creed or time. Tito Paing’s relevance is forever.