Turo Valenzona

Arturo "Turo" F. Valenzona (born November 5, 1942), is a former Filipino basketball player and head coach.

Arturo "Turo" Valenzona
Muntinlupa Cagers
PositionConsultant
LeagueMPBL
Personal information
Born (1942-11-05) November 5, 1942
NationalityFilipino
Career information
CollegeFar Eastern University
Coaching career1972–2011
Career history
As coach:
1972–1991FEU Tamaraws
1982–1984Gilbey's Gin Kings
1985–1987Tanduay Rhum Masters
1987–1988Hills Bros. Coffee
1988RFM-Swift Hotdogs
1989Crispa 400
1990–1997Diet Sarsi/Swift (assistant)
1992–96San Sebastian Stags
1997Pop Cola 800s
2000–2005, 2011San Sebastian Stags
2018Muntinlupa Cagers
Career highlights and awards
As head coach:

Valenzona played college ball for the Far Eastern University before eventually playing in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and later in the Philippine Basketball Association with U/Tex.

Coaching career

After his playing years, Valenzona coached the FEU Tamaraws to several championships in the UAAP and the Intercollegiate tournament. He gave Solidmills one interclub and one MICAA title, and led APCOR to six straight championships. He was also coach of the RP Youth team in 1978 and 1980. He assisted coach Nic Jorge during the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games. Valenzona was a low-key coach who made very smart decisions on the bench, particularly in clutch situations.

In the PBA, Valenzona became head coach of Gilbey's Gin at the start of the 1982 season, replacing Nemie Villegas, he led Gilbey's to three runner-up finishes from 1982-1984. The following year, the La Tondeña ballclub decided to replace him but he was soon back at the bench when Tanduay offered him a coaching job later that year, replacing Orly Castelo. In 1986, Valenzona had a memorable year, leading Tanduay Rhum Makers to their first PBA title and two straight championships. He added another title when the Rhum Makers went home with the Open Conference title in 1987.

He moved to the Hills Bros bench in the third conference of the 1987 PBA season and led the Coffee Kings to a runner-up finish. Aside from the PBA, he simultaneously coached a commercial ballclubs in the PABL, first with Golden Rice Cereals in late 1984, and later on with Hope Cigarettes, RFM-Swift's and the comebacking Crispa 400 in 1989.

Valenzona led the collegiate team San Sebastian College to four consecutive men's basketball championships in the NCAA from 1993-1996.[1] He was the first president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines in the 1990s.

Political career

Valenzona ran for councilor of Manila from the fifth district in 2016.[2]

Collegiate record

SeasonTeamEliminationsPlayoffs
WLPCTFinishPGWLPCTResults
2000SSC-R86.5714th422.500Won over JRU in the Semifinals, Lost to Benilde in the Finals
2001SSC-R95.6432nd532.600Won over Mapúa in the Semifinals, Won over JRU in the Finals
2002SSC-R113.7861st330.1000Won over JRU in the Semifinals, Won over Benilde in the Finals
2003SSC-R95.6432nd422.500Won over JRU in the Semifinals, Lost to Letran in the Finals
2004SSC-R77.5006thDid not qualify
2005SSC-R77.5004th101.000Lost to Letran in the Semifinals
Totals5133.60717107.5882 championships

References

  1. "San Sebastian: One More Go". Philippine Basketball. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. Henson, Joaquin M. "Sportsmen as candidates for office". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
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