Former La Salle Green Archers captain Rafa Dinglasan died on Monday, September 13, after a bout with the coronavirus.

Dinglasan was 53.

His death was confirmed by his sister-in-law Elisa Ilao Lavarias.

“Heartbreaking as it is, as Rafa fought very hard to end this battle with COVID-19, we believe he is now in God’s loving arms, with his father and mother in heaven,” Lavarias wrote on Facebook.

Dinglasan is survived by his wife Lala and daughters Eneka and Marina.

A forward, Dinglasan helped the La Salle capture its first UAAP men’s basketball championship in 1989 alongside former PBA star Jun Limpot and current Terrafirma Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel.

Dinglasan and the Green Archers repeated the following season.

He later went on to play in the Philippine Basketball League and Metropolitan Basketball Association before he ventured into coaching, serving as assistant coach for the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA.

After basketball, Dinglasan became a commercial model, appearing in several advertisements for big companies. – Rappler.com