Dalawang oras pagkatapos parangalan ng PBA ang pumanaw nang si coach Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, halu-halong emosyon ang inilabas ng isa sa coaches na umiidolo sa kanya.

“First of all, I just want to say I’m honored that we were able to do this in Baby’s Tribute Day, and get the win,” bungad ni coach Tim Cone matapos kubabawan ng kanyang Ginebra ang Rain or Shine 101-87 sa Governors Cup sa Smart Araneta Coliseum nitong Linggo.

Matagal nang sinasabi ni Cone na sobrang fan siya ng maalamat na coach na binawian na ng buhay noong Miyerkules sa edad 92. May koleksiyon na 52 championships si Dalupan mula sa halos lahat ng antas ng basketball, 15 dito sa PBA.

Bago ang laro, nabanggit ni Cone na magandang alay kay Dalupan kung manalo ang Gin Kings sa Elasto Painters.

Sinamahan ni Cone at ng kanyang Gin Kings at ni Yeng Guiao at kanyang E-Painters si PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa, Allan Caidic, Atoy Co at Alvin Patrimonio – players na kumatawan sa PBA teams na tinimunan ni Dalupan – nang patunugin ang final buzzer para sa coach na binansagang El Maestro.

“After my father, Baby was a real second in terms of being the kind of person I wanted to emulate, in terms of life, in terms of accomplishments, I terms of the kind of person he was,” lahad ni Cone.

Habang nakikilala ni Cone si coach Baby, lalo lang niya itong hinangaan.

“And I not only got to know him, but I got to know his family, and you can measure a man by his family. He’s had a real good family life, and I’m really proud,” dagdag ni Cone.

“He’s 92 years old, and he had a great life. What more can you ask for? So that’s the guy that I’d like to emulate.”

Ang record ni Dalupan sa PBA titles, nabasag na ni Cone na may 18 total.
Pero may diin si Cone: “Nobody can surpass Baby.”