Sumakabilang buhay na nitong Sabado ang dating national player at PBA pioneer na si Orlando “Orly” Bauzon sa edad na 75.
Ang kumpirmasyon ay nanggaling sa dalawa nitong naging teammates sa Toyota na sina Ramon Fernandez at Gil Cortez, na nagbigay pugay din kay Bauzon sa kani-kanilang Facebook page.
“It is with deep sadness once more that I am sharing with you this news today. 2020 have been unrelenting. God help all of us endure whatever is happening. Another good and dear friend passing away so suddenly and unexpectedly. Orlando ‘Orly’ Bauzon. A Toyota teammate who have become a close friend throughout the years,” saad ni Cortez.
“A quiet, gentle and unassuming man. Kind to everyone. We will miss you Repang Orly. You are now with Mareng Josie. May the Lord grant you peace. Sending my sincerest condolences to the family he left behind especially his dear children.”
Sa kabilang dako, sinariwa naman ni Fernandez ang mga panahong magkasama pa sila ni Bauzon sa Toyota Comets, na nagwagi ng MICAA championship noong 1973 season.
“REST IN PEACE, ORLY! If not for his last second shot in our semifinal game in the very first MICAA tournament, we would not have made it to the championship series against the Concepcion Motorolas and we would not have won in Cinderella finish!” ani Fernandez.
Naging kasapi si Bauzon ng Philippine men’s team na lumahok sa 1968 Olympics sa Mexico at kabahagi rin ng huling national squad na nagbulsa ng gintong medalya noong 1962 Asian Games sa Jakarta.
Ang Calasiao, Pangasinan-native ay miyembro ng koponan ng Toyota nang ilunsad ang PBA noong 1975.
Naglaro sa liga si Bauzon hanggang 1978 kung saan tinapos nito ang kanyang career sa Mariwasa.
Kalaunan sa kanyang karera ay nagsilbing coach si Bauzon na humawak sa ilang college teams tulad ng kanyang alma mater na University of the Philippines, at Adamson University.
