Remembering Vigildo “Gido” Babilonia (+) on his birthday ( Aug 19 )

Remembering Vigildo “Gido” Babilonia (+) on his birthday ( Aug 19 )
Eternal repose grant unto Vigildo “Gido” Babilonia, o Lord.

1990 PBA Rookie Draft 4th overall pick
1990 PBA 3rd Conference champion
6-team PBA player 
Pasig Blue Pirates center in the MBA 
University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers big man

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

Born to Pablito Babilonia and the former Isabel Tanada of Alabat Island, Quezon province on August 19, 1966, Gido had the first taste of the game at Letran College where he played three years for the junior squad. His teammates were Fernando Libed, and Amadito Tabora among others and they gave Letran the championship in the 1983-1984 NCAA season. He was only 15 years-old then. After high school, he took up Commerce at the University of Sto. Tomas where he also played for the varsity squad for four year (1985-1989). His teammates were Pido Jarencio, Benet Palad, Rabbi Tomacruz, among others. The team was coached by Aric del Rosario. The highest achievement of the team was a first runnerup finish to the University of the East team powered then by Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera. He also played for Sta. Lucia Realty in the PBL (1986) and transferred to Miescor in 1987. Among his teammates in the team were Gerald Esplana, Bobby Jose and Andy De Guzman. He transfered to Magnolia a year later and played a key role in the five championships the team won. Purefoods picked him as third overall in the 1990 draft and was inked to a two-year contract. He however failed to get the much needed exposure as Jerry Codinera dominated the slot position. He played as reliever most of the time. "Wala akong playing time doon sa Purefoods dahil reliever lang ako ni Jerry. Mababang-mababa ang moral ko noon dahil nasa bench lang ako palagi. Nandoon pa si Jack Tanuan kaya wala talagang time na maibigay sa akin ang coaching staff," recalled Gido. The start of the 1991 season saw Gido donning another uniform as Purefoods traded him to Shell in exchange for a 1992 first round draft pick. It was a bed of nails for Gido at Shell as he rode the bench again most of the time due to the towering presence of superstar Benjie Paras. Romulo Mamaril was then the chief reliever and what made the matter worse was the arrival of Ricky Relosa later. Things turned rosy for Gido at the start of the 1992 season when Pepsi inked him to a two-year contract. At Pepsi, he got the much needed confidence and exposure as he matured to a reliable center and good defender. "Medyo maganda ang naipakita ko noon kaya kahit nandoon si Manny Victorino ay nagkaroon ako ng playing time. Plus factor din si coach Derek Pumaren dahil siya ang coach namin noon sa Magnolia sa PBL. Alam niya ang laro ko at may tiwala siya sa akin," Gido said with a smile. With the transfer of Victorino to Ginebra San Miguel, Gido blossomed into a first class slot man. He may not be as good as Paras, Nelson Asaytono and Codinera, but he gets the job done just the same. He is more of a role player.