Get Well Soon, Rolly!

I was a bit shocked to find out from the Facebook page of my sportswriter-friend Rick Olivares that veteran coliseum announcer Rolly Manlapaz is suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Rolly has been a barker since the time of the defunct pro league MBA and after it folded up, he was tapped to be the barker in the PBA, UAAP, NCAA and the Filoil Flying V summer tournaments.

In recent years, Rolly has expanded his barking skills to the volleyball leagues like the UAAP and Philippine Superliga.

Before becoming a barker, Rolly worked as a radio DJ for DZRJ, 89 DMZ and DWXB 102.7 where he used such monikers as Jellybean and Harry Nolan.

I was also told that he was a chain smoker which may have been one of the reasons behind his illness.

Rolly is also known for giving nicknames while being a barker, the most famous of which is "The Beast" which he gave to Calvin Abueva during the time the latter was still playing for San Sebastian College in the NCAA.

Rolly was also the barker during the memorable win by Gilas Pilipinas over South Korea in the FIBA Asia 2013 semifinals at the jampacked Mall of Asia Arena which paved the way for the Philippines to become a world power in basketball again by qualifying for the FIBA World Cup the following year in Spain.

Unfortunately, Rolly's tendency to ad lib got him into trouble with some PBA officials who felt that he should do things by the book. He then quit the pro league and decided to stay in the college leagues.

The Filoil Flying V management has announced that the game between La Salle and Ateneo will help raise funds for Rolly's hospital expenses.

Get well soon, Rolly. I do miss the basketball action back in the Philippines, especially your booming voice.