Chino Trinidad, crusading sports journalist, dies aged 56

MANOLO 'Chino' Trinidad, a crusading sports journalist and longtime commissioner of the defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL), died of cardiac arrest on Saturday.

He was 56.

His daughter, Floresse Trinidad, announced Trinidad's death via his former home network GMA on Sunday. His family said the broadcaster was on his way to Newport World Resorts for a meeting when he suffered a heart attack.

He was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital, where he succumbed.

The son of veteran sports columnist Recah Trinidad and Fe Lacsamana gained his start initially as part of the radio panel of the PBA and later transitioned to television as part of Vintage Enterprises' coverage of the league, where he rose to become one of its most popular men on courtside and later anchor.

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

Trinidad left Vintage when he was offered by then PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy to replace Yeng Guiao as commissioner of the league, which he served for 10 years until 2010.

He moved to GMA News where he anchored the the television giant's sports coverage for 23 years until his resignation last year.

Trinidad wrote a column for the weekly Sports Flash and later served as columnist during SPIN.ph'searly years.

He was also once considered for the chairmanship of the Games and Amusement Board.

At the time of his death, Trinidad was commissioner of the Pilipinas Super League, where he was working to launch nationwide billiards and boxing tournaments.