THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will enshrine the late Emilio “Jun” Bernardino by naming the Perpetual Trophy after the highly esteemed former league commissioner.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said besides being the longest-serving commissioner, Bernardino’s lasting legacy as a hard-worker and dedicated man deserves to be preserved.

Eala said there could not have been a more fitting way to honor  Bernardino than by naming after him the award—the league’s sign of excellence and given to the champion of the most prestigious PBA conference—the Philippine Cup.

“While deeply saddened by his untimely demise, it is the PBA’s pride to name the Perpetual Trophy after the late Jun Bernardino, whose professionalism, dedication and vision in his capacity as commissioner for nine long years had propelled the league to greater heights,” said Eala of his well-respected predecessor.

The Perpetual Trophy is made of 24-karat gold and costs almost P1 million. It was crafted by world-renowned artist Ramon Orlina. The award will be given to the team that wins the All-Filipino three times in a row.

Bernardino died of a heart attack at dawn of Saturday. He was 59.

A basketball man all his life, Bernardino rose from the ranks as assistant coach of Tefilin to being a sideline interviewer as the original “Man on the Ball” before becoming assistant secretary, executive director, deputy commissioner and finally as the fifth commissioner of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

He served as head of the country’s No. 1 sports entertainment organization from 1994-2002, a stint that saw him steer the league to all-time records in both attendance and gate receipts, figures that stand until today.

Bernardino stepped down after the 2002 season after suffering his first heart attack.

The PBA will be holding a tribute to Bernardino when the league celebrates its 33rd year on April 8.

Eala said the PBA will also include the charitable institutions being supported by Bernardino, such as the Kamay ni Hesus Foundation under Fr. Joey Faller, on the list of foundations the league has been helping throughout the years.

On Sunday, PBA teams began wearing black patches on their uniforms in memory of the longest-serving commissioner in the league. The practice will be kept for the duration of the Talk ’N Text Fiesta Conference.

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