Leo Prieto

Leo Prieto
1st Commissioner of the PBA
In office
April 9, 1975 – December 1983
Succeeded by Mariano Yenko
Personal details
Born Leopoldo L. Prieto
(1920-05-19)May 19, 1920
Philippines
Died April 7, 2009(2009-04-07) (aged 88)
Nationality Filipino
Alma mater De La Salle University
Occupation Sports executive

Leopoldo "Leo" L. Prieto, Sr. (May 19, 1920[1] – April 7, 2009) was a Filipino sports executive who served as the first commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Acknowledged as "the father of the PBA",[2] Prieto was named commissioner of the PBA upon its founding in 1975 and served in that capacity until his resignation in 1983. During Prieto's tenure as commissioner, the PBA prominently featured the rivalry between Crispa and Toyota.[3] Prieto was lauded for his integrity and his ability to manage egos.[2] Prieto himself described the requirements expected of a PBA commissioner as one "must have a good grasp of the game" and one who "the PBA Board of Governors can trust and respect."[2]

Prieto was a member of the De La Salle Green Archers which won the 1939 NCAA basketball championship and 1939 National Seniors Open title. He later played and coached the YCO Painters. He was the head coach of the Philippines men's national basketball team in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, leading it to a seventh-place finish.[4] He also coached the YCO Painters to several championships in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association.[4] Prieto also was a president of the Manila Jockey Club, and an avid supporter of football in the Philippines.[2]

Prieto died on April 7, 2009, two weeks after suffering a stroke.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Recah Trinidad (2007-05-16). "Pacquiao KO'd: Anatomy of defeat". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Francis Thimsel J. Ochoa (2009-04-08). "Farewell to Leo Prieto, father of the PBA". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  3. ↑ "PBA mourns death of founding commish Leo Prieto". GMA News.TV. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  4. 1 2 "Prieto, PBA 1st Commissioner, passes away". Philippine Star. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
Preceded by
(none)		 PBA Commissioner
1975–1983		 Succeeded by
Mariano Yenko
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