Rudy Distrito

Rudy Distrito (born May 17, 1958 in Bacolod), is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. His moniker is The Destroyer because of his rugged and intense brand of play.[1]

Rudy Distrito
Personal information
Born (1958-05-17) May 17, 1958
Bacolod, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
CollegeUniversity of the East
PBA draft1981 / Pick: Elevated
Selected by the Crispa Redmanizers
Playing career1981–1995, 1999
PositionShooting guard
Number14, 17
Career history
1981–1982Crispa Redmanizers
1983–1984Manhattan/Sunkist/Winston/Country Fair
1984–1985Gold Eagle Beer/Magnolia Ice Cream
1986Alaska Milk
1987Magnolia Ice Cream/Juice Drink (PABL)
1987–1991Ginebra San Miguel
1992–1995Swift Mighty Meaties/Sunkist Orange Juicers
1999San Juan Knights (MBA)

Amateur career

For three years, Distrito played collegiate basketball in the University of the East under coach Filo Pumaren[2] and at the same time played for Crispa in the MICAA.[3]

Professional career

Distrito was recruited by Crispa and played with the Redmanizers from 1981 to 1982. After Crispa, he was acquired by Sanyu Group of Companies, which took over from the U/tex franchise,[4] he played for the team for nearly two seasons and was shipped to Gold Eagle Beermen in late 1984. Distrito stayed on with the SMC ballclub until the team filed a leave of absence after the 1985 season. After one season with newcomer Alaska Milk in 1986. He revert to amateur status and briefly played for Magnolia in the PABL and was signed by the Ginebra San Miguel as a free agent in 1987.

He spent the best years of his career with Ginebra playing under coach Robert Jaworski. He is best remembered for taking the winning shot in Game Seven that completed Ginebra’s return from a 1-3 finals deficit against Shell Rimula X in 1991 First Conference Championship series.[5] He was traded to Swift for Pido Jarencio in 1992, and played for the RFM Franchise until 1995.

He was suspended and eventually banned for life by then PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino in 1995 for committing a flagrant foul after hoisting a dangerous tackle on then-Alaska rookie Jeffrey Cariaso[6] in midair while Cariaso was going for an uncontested layup during their game against the Milkmen in the 1995 PBA All-Filipino Cup Finals.[7] The Games and Amusement Board also revoked his playing license.[8] He was never able to play in the PBA again.

He also played from the San Juan Knights in the MBA alongside Chris Calaguio, former teammate Bonel Balingit, Omanzie Rodriguez and Chito Victolero during the 1999 season.

Later life

Distrito moved to the United States with his family shortly after his retirement and got separated from his wife thereafter.

On November 24, 2004, he was accused of stabbing to death a 24-year-old Mexican gangster Juan Amaya following a heated argument at Dekow Lane Apartments in Las Vegas, Nevada, which he considered an act of self-defense.[9] In 2005, he was sentenced to a prison term of 4 to 12 years a Northern Nevada jail for manslaughter,[10] but was granted parole and deported to the Philippines in 2010.[11]

He is now currently based in his hometown in Bacolod City.[12]

In other media

Distrito's life story was featured in ABS-CBN show Rated K, hosted by Korina Sanchez.[13]

References
  1. Nathanielsz, Ronnie. "RUDY DISTRITO IS BACK HOME". www.philboxing.com. PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  2. Castillo, Musong. "Rudy Distrito draws manslaughter". www.inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  3. https://edmon1974.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/1979-micaa-team-rosters/
  4. Jimenez-David, Rina. "At Large: Distrito's winning game". www.inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  5. "Distrito: Ginebra's 'never-say-die' gone". www.centralluzondaily.net. Central Luzon Daily. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  6. Mangonon, Fidel III. "Poor Don". www.spin.ph. SPIN.ph. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWNRAqTFO3M
  8. Naredo, Camille. "Notable suspensions in PH basketball". www.abs-cbnnews.com. ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  9. Nathanielsz, Ronnie. "Distrito pleads guilty". www.manilastandardtoday. Manila Standard Today. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  10. Castillo, Musong. "Rudy Distrito draws manslaughter". www.inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  11. "Distrito's 'victims' Lim, Cariaso happy for ex cager". www,gmanetwork.com. GMANews.TV. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  12. Badua, Snow. "Former Ginebra star Rudy Distrito urges Mark Caguioa to act like a true leader". www.spin.ph. SPIN.ph. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_sCNuBmX-I
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