Fort Acuña, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

Fort Acuña

Filipino basketball player

Date of Birth: 17-Apr-1948

Place of Birth: Philippines

Date of Death: 06-Jul-1981

Profession: basketball player, basketball coach

Nationality: Philippines

Zodiac Sign: Aries


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About Fort Acuña

  • Fortunato "Fort" Acuña (April 17, 1948 – July 6, 1981) was a Filipino professional basketball player and coach. A 6'1" center/forward, he played for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.
  • In the MICAA, Acuña played for the MERALCO Reddy Kilowatts until it disbanded in 1972.
  • He joined the newly formed Toyota Comets in 1973, along with MERALCO teammates Alberto Reynoso, Orlando Bauzon, Robert Jaworski and Francis Arnaiz.
  • He continued with the Toyota team when the franchise transferred to the Philippine Basketball Association in 1975. Acuña retired from active play after the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference and began serving as assistant coach for Toyota.
  • On December 11 1979, he replaced Dante Silverio as Toyota head coach after Silverio resigned when management decides to reinstate Ramon Fernandez, Estoy Estrada and Abe King for Game 2 of the ongoing PBA Invitational Conference finals.
  • Acuña steered the team to the title against arch-rivals Crispa.
  • This was Toyota's sixth title and Acuña's only PBA championship as head coach. On December 11, 1980, Toyota was playing against the Crispa in Game 3 of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference Finals.
  • During half time, Acuña was fired by team manager Pablo Carlos Jr.
  • for refusing to heed the latter's request to field Robert Jaworski.
  • Toyota won that game, preventing a Crispa sweep of the tournament.
  • The Redmanizers would eventually clinch the title by wrapping up the series the following game. Acuña committed suicide on July 6, 1981 by ingesting a lethal dose of insecticide.
  • The following day, Toyota had a scheduled game against Crispa during the semi-final round of the 1981 PBA Open Conference.
  • The team appeared for the game with a piece of black stripe on their jerseys as a sign of mourning.
  • Seemingly affected by the shocking news, the Super Diesels lost to the Redmanizers, 133-118.

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