Bobong never settled for 2nd best

What I remember most about Carlos (Bobong) Velez was his uncompromising commitment to excellence. When he took over the PBA’s telecast rights in 1982, Bobong made sure the coverage was always beyond compare. He sat down with the broadcasters and production crew for long hours to plan out each show then longer hours to evaluate performance.

Bobong’s reputation as a consummate professional was well-known in business circles. His work ethic was legendary. Whatever project he was involved in, it was like Bobong put his name on the line. Beyond his attention to detail, Bobong had a heart of gold. There were associates who took advantage of his generosity but Bobong never held grudges. He forgave those who crossed him without hesitation and even made the first move to renew broken friendships. That’s how he was and that’s why he was loved by so many.

Bobong played a special role in my life. I recall back in 1974 when he promoted the first La Salle-Ateneo Dream Game, I wrote a critical piece in my newspaper column on how it was staged. I got a phonecall from Bobong the morning the newspaper came out, inviting me to his office so he could explain his side. I knew Bobong from our La Salle school days. His younger brother Ricky was my grade school classmate.

I visited Bobong in his office which was then a small room on the top floor of the Grepalife Building on Buendia. From our conversation, I realized we had something in common – our love for sports with a passion. That started a long relationship between us.

When the PBA was formed in 1975, Bobong got the contract to produce the first league annual. He eventually took care of the PBA’s public relations. In 1982, Bobong made a bold bid to take over the PBA’s telecast rights through his company Vintage Enterprises and won. He revolutionized the style of basketball coverage in the country, using an analytical and conversational approach that drew the TV audience closer to the broadcast. Bobong veered away from the traditional approach of describing the action on a play-by-play basis and introduced an excitingly fresh style. From Grepalife, Bobong moved to more spacious quarters on Legazpi Village.

Bobong invited me to join meetings with the Vintage broadcasters as an outsider looking in. I took down notes while watching the coverage on TV and shared my views, some critical, with the panelists. After a few years, I made the jump from an outsider to an insider behind the microphone. Bobong gave breaks to a lot of talents. Among those whom he recruited for Vintage were Joe Cantada, Pinggoy Pengson, Tim Cone, Ron Jacobs, Alfrancis Chua, Yeng Guiao, Joaqui Trillo, Norman Black, Freddie Webb, Ed Picson, Romy Kintanar, Jun Bernardino, Chino Trinidad, Paolo Trillo, Noli Eala, Mon Liboro, Rado Dimalibot, Randy Sacdalan, Butch Maniego, Sev Sarmenta, Steve Kattan, Jim Kelly, Anthony Suntay, Andy Jao, Bill Velasco, Danny Sembrano, Jimmy Javier, Ronnie Nathanielsz, Benjie Santiago, Katherine de Leon, Ronith Ang, Janelle So, Chiqui Roa Puno, Melanie Trinidad, Tina Bitanga, Mylene Quinto and Ria Tanjuatco.

Bobong’s reputation carried over to other TV sports ventures which included the NBA, Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games. He became friends with NBA commissioner David Stern and now NBA commissioner Adam Silver who once visited Manila as his guest. I remember Bobong meeting up with Stern in Tokyo once and he brought back the commissioner’s autograph with a personalized dedication for me.

Bobong sent me to cover the 1997 NBA All-Star Game and the NBA’s Golden Anniversary celebration in Cleveland, Andy Jao and me to broadcast live for the first time on Philippine TV the Chicago-Utah NBA Finals of 1997 and 1998 and Ronnie and me to do the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York. I remember Bobong flying to Chicago for the 1998 Finals and treating Andy and me to dinner at Ruth’s Chris steakhouse. I also remember traveling with Bobong to Sondrio, Italy, for a pocket tournament involving the Centennial Team in 2002.

Bobong revived the boxing show “Blow By Blow” whose early editions featured a young Manny Pacquiao. Bobong’s other business ventures were in real estate, a chain of restaurants called Doña Nena’s and a popular disco place called Faces. In 2003, he was inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame and in 2011, into the PBA Hall of Fame.

Bobong had the rare distinction of graduating from both La Salle (elementary and high school) and Ateneo (liberal arts degree, major in behavioral science). He was on the La Salle high school basketball team under Tito Eduque then moved to Ateneo on a sports scholarship for basketball and football after a year in college at Taft. In 1967-68, Bobong was on the Blue Eagles NCAA senior football title squad with other La Salle transferees Bertie Lim, Louie LaO and Celso Lobregat. That same season, he was on the Ateneo basketball team that finished second to Jose Rizal.

Bobong was one of a kind, an extraordinary person with a brilliant mind, a friend and mentor. In his retirement, he lived with his partner Maricor in a Makati condo along Ayala Avenue close to the movie theaters which they frequented. Four years ago, Bobong moved to Maricor’s hometown Dumaguete after suffering a stroke and lived a quiet, peaceful and provincial life. He passed away in Dumaguete last Saturday at the age of 71, leaving behind children John, Naynay and Clacla with two grandsons. His cremated remains will be at a wake in Tanjay, Dumaguete, up to June 12 then will be brought to the Santuario de San Antonio chapel, Forbes Park, for another wake on June 13-15.