Leopoldo L. Prieto, Sr. (May 19, 1920
– April 7, 2009) was a
Filipino sports executive who served as the first commissioner of the
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Prieto also was a president of the
Manila Jockey Club and a supporter of football in the Philippines.
[
Acknowledged as "the father of the PBA",][ 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."][
As a basketball player, Prieto was a member of the ]De La Salle Green Archers
The De La Salle Green Archers (also known simply as the Green Archers) are the men's varsity teams representing De La Salle University in the Philippines. The women's varsity teams are generally referred to as the De La Salle Lady Archers. The s ...
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
The Philippines men's national basketball team ( fil, Pambansang koponan ng basketbol ng Pilipinas), commonly known as Gilas Pilipinas, is the basketball team representing the Philippines. The team is managed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipi ...
in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, whi ...
, leading it to a seventh-place finish.[
Prieto died on April 7, 2009, two weeks after suffering a stroke.][
]
References
External links
PBA Official Website
1920 births
2009 deaths
Filipino men's basketball coaches
De La Salle Green Archers basketball players
Philippine Basketball Association executives
Philippines men's national basketball team coaches
Philippines men's national basketball team players
Filipino men's basketball players
{{Philippines-basketball-bio-stub