Tribute to Buenaventura 'Ben' Brillantes +

Tribute to Buenaventura 'Ben' Brillantes +

FEU Tamaraws offensive weapon
3x National Seniors champion

YCO Painters and Solid Mills (MICAA)

1973 UAAP champion

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

The Morayta Gem

written by: Jay P. Mercado

Ben Brillantes was the perfect representation of what an FEU Tamaraw is all about. He was a solid player capable of knocking down medium range jumpshots consistently. More importantly, he was a fearless slasher inside. 

He can slither himself inside the paint with ease, using his unique ability to move side to side to get past his defender and score a twinner inside. 

Three former FEU teammates, Marte Saldaña, Renato "Etok" Lobo and Danny Manalastas attest to this. "Para siyang bulate - mahaba, mabilis at madulas - kayang-kaya niya lumusot then he'd stretch for a sure two points via layup," said Lobo. Manalastas added, "ang galing lumusot, patay kung patay, parang kamikaze." Saldaña remembered how Brillantes would find a way to score. "He's an exceptional creator of shots, ang galing makahanap ng paraan para ma-libre."

Brillantes was part of the victorious FEU Tamaraws champion team of 1973. He was one of the team's potent offensive scorers, playing alongside the likes of Nic Bulaong, Ambo Javier, Bong Chua, Fidel Que and Joey Rivera. Manalastas recalls that Brillantes only played 3 seasons for the Morayta-based squad from 1973 to 1975. It was on his last season when he teamed up with Saldaña, Lobo, Manalastas and the late Anthony Dasalla.

(Brillantes wearing jersey #6 for the FEU Tamaraws, seated left - photo c/o Etok and Lina Lobo)

He later played for the YCO Painters and was part of the Elizalde-owned franchise that won the 1977 and 1978 National Seniors crown. He went on to play for Solid Mills before opting for greener pastures and flew to Los Angeles before settling in Las Vegas with his family.

Brillantes passed away last June 20, 2024 in the US. Shocked by the news, Manalastas fondly remembered Brillantes as a wonderful teammate and a great friend. "Pumasok ako sa FEU noong 1975, last year na ni Ben noon. Naalala ko yan kasi sumusunod yan kay Turo (FEU coach Valenzona) at gustong-gusto siya ni Turo kasi buo ang loob at matapang. Marunong din makisama yan sa teammates, kahit baguhan pa lang ako noon. Pisikal sa praktis yan, minsan nakakapikon sakit sa katawan ang abot mo diyan pag binantayan mo. Pero pagkatapos ng praktis, kami din ang magkasama lagi. He's one of my best friends sa FEU."

(photo from Ben Brillantes' FB page)

Lobo became close to Brillantes as well, especially when the former moved to Chicago with wife Lina, and children, in the mid-80's. Lobo described Brillantes as someone who "will not hesitate to help someone in need." "Ang daming former players na pumunta sa US na tinulungan ni Ben, lalo na sa paghanap sa trabaho. Close kami niyan, pati kay Lina (Etok's wife), at lagi niya kami ine-entertain pag nasa Las Vegas kami," Lobo attested.

Saldaña, on the other hand, admitted he wasn't as close to Brillantes as Danny and Etok. "But inalagaan ako ni Ben nung unang taon ko sa FEU. Kasi ang nag-recruit sa akin si Bert Dela Rosa, na very close kay Ben. Kaya nun naglalaro na ako, parang siya yun nag-alaga sa akin on behalf of Bert," Saldaña said.

It was unfortunate that Brillantes didn't move on to play in the PBA. Manalastas felt that Brillantes had a great chance of doing well in the PBA. "Sayang kasi inasikaso muna niya ang pamilya niya, which is really the correct thing to do. Pero he had the skills to do well sa PBA, kahit na 5'8 lang si Ben, sa sobrang tapang maglaro, maraming coaches ang magugustuhan siya," added Manalastas.

Lobo remembered he fondly called Brillantes, "taga," because he had a scar underneath his chin. "Pwedeng-pwede siya sa PBA kasi yun type ng laro at tapang niya, perfect sa pros."

(Brillantes with wife Cynthia and Etok and Lina Lobo - photo c/o Etok and Lina Lobo)

Saldaña marveled at Brillantes' ability to manufacture his own shots. "He just finds ways to get points, sabay may gulang din. I remember one of his memorable moves was attacking the basket, then would fake his defender, tapos u-upo siya halos. Sa sobrang baba niya, tumatalsik yun kalaban niya at nalalaglag, sabay dun siya titira. Kaya most of the time, and one play pa," said the Mighty Mite.

The FEU community is grieving at present with the loss of one of their more popular players in the 70's. Saldaña recalled that Brillantes was quite popular in the amateur ranks. "Sikat si Ben sa MICAA, marami nakaka-alala sa kanya na fans kasi nga, ibang klase yun tapang at style ng laro niya." Lobo, in his FB post, thanked Brillantes for "the friendship and memories" and that he will be missed. Manalastas described Ben as an older sibling - "I lost a true brother in arms and I will miss him greatly." The Tamaraws have lost a true gem.

Paalam, Ben! Thank you for the basketball memories.

(The writer extends his thanks to Etok and Lina Lobo, Marte Saldaña and Danny Manalastas)