PBA legend Boybits Victoria passes away

Boybits Victoria passed away at the young age of 50.

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—The Philippine basketball community is still in a state of shock as of posting after news broke out that Boybits Victoria has passed away.

Friends of the PBA legend confirmed the news on Wednesday night, citing a heart attack as the reason behind his untimely death at age 50.

A star for San Beda since his high school days, Victoria was taken third overall by the RFM franchise in the 1994 PBA Draft, eventually winning Rookie of the Year honors the same year.

With Victoria mainly doing the quarterbacking chores, the club, playing as Sunkist, came just close to completing the 1995 grand slam, winning it all in the Philippine and the Commissioner's Cups only to be eliminated in the Governors' Cup semifinals.

He would then play for San Miguel at the turn of the millennium, oftentimes as a backup to Olsen Racela, winning five more titles including two near trebles in 1999 and 2000.

After retiring in 2003, Victoria delved into coaching and even broadcasting before taking a job as Victoria Sports' head of sales.

In 2018, Victoria was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which significantly slowed him down, but he eventually recovered from it.

According to the Victoria Family, Boybits' remains lie at the Loyola Memorial Chapel in Parañaque for the rest of the week before he will be cremated on Sunday.

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