ISA sa itinuturing Philippine basketball greats na si Rafael ‘Paing’ Hechanova ang pumanaw na sa edad na 93.
Nabatid na namatay ang dating miyembro ng pambansang koponan sa Asian Games at Olympics noong Huwebes.
May taas lamang na 5-foot-11, si Hechanova ay naging bahagi ng Philippine basketball team sa 1952 Helsinki Olympics, at naging Asian Games gold medalist noong 1951 at 54 kasama ang kapwa basketball great at namayapa na ring si Carlos Loyzaga.
Tuluyang naluklok sa National Basketball Hall of Fame si Hechanova noong 2000.
Bago ang kanyang pagpanaw, kinilala siyang “oldest living Filipino Olympian.”
“A good soul has passed on, a great man has gone up to heaven. With deep sorrow, we part our beloved brother, RAFAEL “Paing”
HECHANOVA, Sr., Director-Emeritus of Concepcion Industries Corp. He was the first Ilonggo Olympian, a member of the men’s basketball team that sought action in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He was also Past R.I. Director of the Rotary International District 3830…Truly an honorable man…” pagpupugay ng four-time PBA MVP at kasalukuyang Philippine Sports Commission, Comissioner si Ramon Fernandez. (ANN ENCARNACION)
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