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| Eugene Quilban held the PBA record for most assists in a single game. |
MANILA—The Philippine basketball community was saddened on Saturday when one of the game's top point guards during the 90s, Eugene Quilban, passed away at the age of 58 due to pancreatic cancer complications.
Quilban's family confirmed the development.
The five-foot-eight quarterback took over the leadership of San Sebastian when its former main man, Bong Alvarez, turned pro in 1989.
Two years later, Quilban declared for the PBA Draft, and Alaska took him with the third overall pick to reunite him with Alvarez.
Despite winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1991, Quilban found himself moving to 7-Up, whose franchise has since been absorbed by TNT, the year after.
In an Aug. 9, 1992 meeting against Shell at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Quilban dished out 28 assists, a PBA single-game record that still stands today.
After playing for the Pop Cola Panthers in 1997, Quilban was signed by the Davao Eagles for the MBA's inaugural season in 1998.
He played one more year in the PBA in 1999 with Sta. Lucia before moving back to the MBA with Cagayan De Oro in 2000.
Quilban played for the Cebu Gems in what would be the MBA's last season in 2002 before quietly retiring from basketball when the league folded.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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