Perpetual Altas community deeply mourned the passing of the legendary coach Januario “Aric” del Rosario who brought the Altas basketball team to greater heights in the oldest collegiate league National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).
“Tatay” Aric served as head coach of the Perpetual Altas basketball team from 2012 to 2015, the remarkable years when the team made it to the final four for three consecutive seasons of the NCAA.
After his two-year stint as NCAA commissioner in 2009-2011, his good friend and fellow Thomasian, Dr./ BGen Antonio “Tony” L. Tamayo, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA as well as team owner of the Perpetual Altas, invited del Rosario to return to the sidelines as head coach of Perpetual.
“On behalf of all Perpetualites, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of my former high school basketball teammate in UST. I will never forget the time when you gladly accepted the challenge to mentor my basketball team,” BGen Tamayo said.
“I am deeply saddened that I cannot pay my final respects to my dear friend because of Enhanced Community Quarantine. But my prayers go out to him and his family during this difficult time. Farewell and may you rest in peace,” Tamayo added.
Former players, coaches and friends of Coach “Tatay” Aric from University of Perpetual Help also offered their deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.
“He was not only a coach but also the father of us. Salamat sa lahat. You’ll be forever in my heart. Love you Coach Tatay Aric,” former Altas, now Gumaca, Quezon Councilor GJ Ylagan of Muntinlupa Cager (MPBL) said in interview. Dennis Abrina
Perpetual Altas will be forever grateful to you Coach Aric. We appreciate what you have done for our university. It was because of your patience and persistence that Perpetual Help was once again recognized as a team to beat in the NCAA league,” Team Manager Anton Tamayo said.
In his Instagram post, Perpetual Altas pride and Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson, is also grieving because of the loss of one of the most influential persons in his life.
“Salamat tatay, papa, daddy, lolo, coach, at mentor Aric sa lahat ng tinuro mo sa akin, sa lahat ng ginawa mo sa buhay ko. Hanggang PBA dala dala ko pa rin ang lahat ng itinuro mo sa akin. Ikaw ang isa sa dahilan kung asan ako ngayon,” Thompson said.
Coach Aric coined the Perpetual ALTAs’ battlecry “We stay Together”. Aside from Thompson and Ylagan, he will be terribly missed by the other ALTAs players he mentored: Gab Danganon, Harold Arboleda, Justine Alano, Jong Baloria, Anthony Paulino, Jett Vidal, Chester Saldua, Ric Gallardo, Keith Pido, George Allen, (all of MPBL) Nestor Bantayan, Anton Tamayo, Prince Eze, Bright Akhuetie and Coach Gerald Dizon.