Legendary UST basketball coach Aric del Rosario dies

Former University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers head coach Aric del Rosario passed away on the morning of Thursday, March 26. He was 80 years old.

The Philippine basketball legend succumbed to cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on arrival, according to family members. Del Rosario led the España-based UST squad to four straight UAAP championships in the 1990s.

He was at the helm when UST dominated collegiate basketball, steering the Tigers to a 14-0 elimination round sweep in 1993 to capture the UAAP championship outright. The team, featuring players like Chris Cantonjos, Bal David, and Dennis Espino, then achieved a four-peat title run lasting until 1996.

Del Rosario's coaching career extended beyond UST. He served as head coach of the Pampanga Dragons in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), leading them to the inaugural league championship in 1998. He was also an assistant coach for PBA teams Alaska Aces and Talk 'N Text.

In 2003, he was appointed head coach of the Philippine national team and steered them to the gold medal at the 12th Southeast Asian Games. Del Rosario later served as NCAA commissioner from 2009 to 2011 before returning to coaching as head coach of the University of Perpetual Help Altas. While he didn't win a title with Perpetual, he led them to three Final Four appearances.

Del Rosario closed out his coaching career as head coach of MPBL team Parañaque Patriots in 2018.