RON Jacobs was unquestionably a brilliant coach, whose passion for basketball and his abiding love for the Philippines, was unquestioned.
When Ron passed away last Christmas eve, it was painful to accept the reality that such a healthy individual, who kept a tight rein on the food he ate and in his physical well-being, could have been felled by a stroke a few years ago while in the throes of preparing the Philippine National Team for the Asian Games in South Korea.
The news was a shocker and friends and fans alike found it difficult to understand and even more painful to accept.
His trusted assistant Jong Uichico gallantly picked up the challenge and if not for a harrowing end-game miscue against host South Korea, the Philippines would have entered the finals against China.
But it was not to be and the pain of losing was aggravated by the struggles of Jacobs to recover from his debilitating stroke that virtually paralyzed him, but not his incredible desire to fight the good fight and to help Philippine basketball until the very last breath in his body.
Ron was an exemplary leader who worked tirelessly to inculcate in his players the paramount principle that playing for your country was an honor and a privilege.
Nobody demonstrated this valued trait perhaps more than naturalized players Chip Engelland. Jeff Moore and Dennis Still. They clawed tooth and nail alongside such homegrown greats as Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim and Hector Calma in scoring an epic overtime victory over the mighty United States in the 1985 Jones Cup, which we had the privilege to cover with an admittedly biased commentary in favor of our country, because it meant so much.
The late movie hero Fernando Poe Jr. told us once as we celebrated his birthday over a couple of drinks that he took the betamax tape of the coverage to all his out-of-town shoots and watched it no less than 14 times, reveling in the fact that we had beaten the mighty United States, whose team included some eight future NBA players.
Jacobs worked tirelessly to build a fiercely competitive team that reflected his own competitive spirit and left no detail to chance. He was that kind of a coach.
Before we played China in the ABC Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 1986, Jacobs asked two of his longtime friends and trusted basketball assistants to scout the China team that was preparing for preparing for the ABC Championships by playing a series of games against US NCAA teams and send him detailed scouting reports.
The two men split up and tracked the Chinese team across the US, sending Ron details that included photos, names and numbers of each player since the Chinese often changed numbers during competitions to confuse their opponents.
The Philippine team members poured over the players’ profiles, matched names with numbers and studied every move of the Chinese players with shot charts and player tendencies, strong points and weaknesses.
Jacobs was a master of detail and when the players attended practice or walked into the locker room before a game, it was all laid out for them. It was hard work for Ron, but it paid off handsomely when the Philippines thrashed China in the finals.
Ron conceded later that he had taken the South Koreans for granted and nearly paid the price in a scintillating semifinal clash which we managed to win.
Jacobs believed that we could face China at its best in 10 games and win a couple at the right time, which would make all the difference.
Ron was recruited by Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, who was referred to as “Boss Danding” to those who knew him well and shared a great deal of affection for him and whose passion for basketball fired the imagination of the American mentor.
Boss Danding cared for Ron like his own brother Henry Cojuangco, who too passed away some months ago when he was playing a meaningfully quiet and efficient role in Congress.
Ron was a disciple of Boss Danding, while the Boss was an admirer of the coach and his unmatched dedication.
As Ron slowly withered before he passed away, he was looked after with incredible attention and affection by the lovely lady, who was his partner – Mennen – who was constantly by his side administering to him in a display of unbridled love and affection. Indeed, we marveled at the commitment of this charming lady, who was a beacon for other women to follow.
We often checked on Ron’s condition with her and it was only recently that she told us, that his condition was deteriorating and perhaps it was time for him to let go, which he did last Christmas eve.
The passing of Ron Jacobs was a major blow to Philippine basketball because he epitomized the love for the sport and the men who played the game and the leaders, who supported basketball with all their heart.
His was a heart that may have been American but one that beat with the indomitable courage and unbelievable affection for his adopted home – the Philippines.
Our consolation, if indeed we can find consolation in his untimely passing, was the gift of knowing him well and respecting him for what he did for our country in an all-embracing fashion.
Ron was a handsome man and his handsomeness was enhanced, measured against the reality that handsome is as handsome does.
Farewell, my beloved friend. May the Good Lord embrace you like you embraced the sport of basketball and our country.
