MANILA -- The PBA community was saddened by the untimely passing of former basketball player Cris Bolado on Sunday.
Bolado, who was based in Phnom Penh, figured in motorcycle accident in Phnom Penh that led to his death.
"With a sad heart, we would like to inform all relatives and close friends that Cris Bolado has passed away [yesterday]," said Anne Waje, Bolado's girlfriend, in a statement on Facebook.
While he may not be among the elites in the league during the late 90's, Bolado became so successful in his 10-year career championship-wise that many gave him the moniker "The Lucky Charm."
Selected in the second round of the 1994 draft by Alaska, the six-foot-seven bruiser from NU made some contributions to the team's 1996 grand slam.
In fact, he made 10 consecutive finals appearances from the 1994 Commissioner's Cup to the 1997 Commissioner's Cup, winning seven of them including the 1996 treble.
Overall, he had 11 titles, five with Alaska, two with San Miguel, one with Star (formerly Purefoods Corned Beef), one with Ginebra (formerly Gordon's Gin), and two more with the defunct Powerade (formerly Coca-Cola) franchise.
Six years after his basketball retirement, Bolado made a return to television as a contestant in Survivor Philippines: Palau, the second season of the defunct reality show.
Bolado was eliminated from the game on Day 23 after losing to Justine Ferrer in a one-on-one Redemption Island challenge with the winner returning to the main game. Bolado was the last person to be eliminated at the pre-merge phase, while Ferrer would make the Final 3, finishing second to Amanda Van Cooll.
According to Waje, Bolado's remains, which is currently in the Cambodian capital, will be flown in to his hometown in Lucban, Quezon province sometime this week. (PNA)
