UV athletic director Chris Mejarito (left), sir Dodong gullas (center) and UV men’s basketball head coach Gary Cortes. | file photos
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Some members of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers mourned the passing of their former administrator, Jose “Dodong” Gullas.
Gullas passed away at the age of 87 on Thursday, February 25, 2021.
Read: Dodong Gullas passes on at 87
Gullas was widely known by the coaches and athletes of the Green Lancers as their “father.”
UV men’s basketball head coach Gary Cortes, who steered the team to multiple championships in the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), said Gullas’ passing is a huge loss to the UV community.
“Grabe na siya ka supportive sa UV sports program, labi na sa basketball,” Cortes said.
(He is very supportive of the UV sports program, especially basketball.)
Cortes said he is amused with how sharp Gullas’ memory is when it comes to UV’s basketball team.
“He can still remember all of the Lancers from the 70s up to the 90s roster,” Cortes said.
Even though Gullas won’t be around to witness any of UV’s future achievements, Cortes is confident the team will always remember their “father.”
“Nawala man tuod ang Dodong Gullas sa UV pero ang iyang legacy magpabilin hangtod sa hangtod,” Cortes said.
(Dodong Gullas may not be with UV anymore but his legacy will remain forever.)
UV’s athletic director Chris Mejarito echoed Cortes’ sentiments, highlighting Gullas’ generosity and paternal character towards athletes and coaches of UV.
“He had a huge, generous and kind heart,” Mejarito said.
“Moingon dayon na siya nako, ‘Mr. Mejarito pag, amping pirmi ug pasudla gyud sa klase atong mga players.’,” Mejarito said.
(He would tell me, ‘Mr. Mejarito, take care always and let our players always attend class.)
In sports, Gullas was also known for as an advocate of the grassroots development in tennis. He founded Cebu’s longest-running tennis tournament, the JRG Gullas Cup, which is already in its 24th year.
/bmjo