PHILIPPINE basketball has lost a great one.
Edmundo “Ato” Badolato, the man behind the fabled San Beda High School champion teams in the past, passed away last Sunday night due to a heart attack. He was 74.
Tributes poured in on social media for Badolato, a known stern tactician but said to be one of the best the country had.
“Will miss you Ato. Ikaw ang malaking rason bakit ako nandito sa position ko ngayon,” Ginebra star LA Tenorio, who suited up for Badolato as a Red Cub, said.
“Tatanawin kong malaking utang na loob lahat ng ginawa mo sa akin bilang isang player.”
Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia described Badolato as “a great coach and even a greater person.”
“RIP to coach Ato Badolato– a great coach and even greater person,” Vanguardia said.
Badolato had a big hand in the careers of his players at San Beda High School, among them PBA greats Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc; and past and present cagers and coaches that include Eric Altamirano, Dindo Pumaren, Gerry Esplana, Jolly Escobar, Chris Calaguio, Renren Ritualo, LA Tenorio, JV Casio, LA Revilla, Baser Amer, and Nico Salva to name a few.
Badolato was at the helm of the Red Cubs for 37 years and bagged 37 NCAA juniors’ titles while helping discover and develop some of the country’s past and present top players.
He also served as the national youth coach in the late 80s and as commissioner of the UAAP.
A champion strategist in the PBA and UAAP, Altamirano thanked Badolato for being his “mentor, father figure, and friend.
“Being under your wing has been a blessing to my life. Goodbye coach Ato, my mentor, father figure, and friend. Thank you for everything,” Altamirano said.
“Sad day for the Bedan community as legendary high school basketball coach Ato Badolato passes away. RIP coach Ato,” Red Lions team manager Jude Roque said.
Esplana credited his successful pro career to Badolato.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng itinuro mo sakin. Wala pang Milo BEST pero meron ng San Beda BEST (Badolato Edmundo Scientific Training),” Esplana, a former PBA Rookie of the Year and Red Cubs guard, said.
“I learned the basic fundamentals through your program. I learned to play organized basketball through you. I became successful in my career because I have a strong basketball foundation.”
Current San Beda High School coach Manu Iñigo vowed to continue Badolato’s rich winning tradition, while Mindoro EOG-Burlington mentor Britt Reroma said he owes his success to Badolato.
“Promise coach, susundin ko iyong payo mo sa akin. You will forever be the GOAT coach in high school basketball. Mahal na mahal ka namin coach and we will do everything we can to keep your legacy alive. Salamat sa lahat, ‘To. GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!!!,” Iñigo said.
“Rest in Peace to my mentor, my second father, my coach, Ato. Maraming salamat sa lahat.
Hindi ko maabot kung saan man ako ngayon kung hindi dahil sa’yo. Mahal na mahal ka namin.”
