‘We lost a good man’

The wife and children of Abner Venus bid their final farewell to the former Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands official last Wednesday at the Borja Funeral Homes in Chalan Kanoa. (MARK RABAGO)

Former Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands official Abner Venus was cremated last Wednesday at Borja Funeral Homes in Chalan Kanoa.

But before his family and loved one said their last goodbyes, the Iloilo in the Philippines native was eulogized by one of his closest friends and godfather to his and his wife Cristy’s youngest son, James. 

Sonics coach Jesse Tudela said Venus is just one of a few Filipinos he knows that learned to speak Chamorro fluently and that was a testament to his can-do attitude, which he carried with him even when he became blind eight years ago. 

“He stayed positive when he lost his eyesight and was on dialysis. He fought a good fight for eight years but unfortunately ran out of time. His son Marc said it best the day kuya Abner left this world, ‘We lost a good man,’ I want to add to that statement that we also gained an angel to watch over us as his family, relatives, and friends,” he said during Venus’ funeral mass last Tuesday at the San Antonio Parish. 

Tudela added he will also forever be indebted to Venus for helping him win his very first championship. 

“He taught me a basketball defensive play called 1-3-1 that coaches hardly used, but he wholeheartedly believed it would work. He was correct and on point, as he made me a believer when we became champions in my first year coaching Southern Sonics in the 2005 U18 Rotary Youth Basketball League. We went on to win three more U18 Rotary Youth Basketball championships.”

Days after word of his passing spread, many of his friends reached out to Saipan Tribune to share their fondest memories of Venus.

Antonio Sablan, former coach of many time champion team Verizon, said the CNMI lost not only a basketball legend in Venus but a kind-hearted soul.

“From Day 1, I saw his heart and dedication was into basketball. He approached me about putting together a team that became Toyota Wheels that played together for years. But through basketball I saw and got to know his spirit in helping others. Always being there, helping his fellow kababayans trying to make it here. Ab loved and dedicated most of his life to basketball. He should be remembered for having a major impact in the development of CNMI basketball. He grew up here and was a friend to many. I pray and offer my condolences to his wife and  kids,” he told Saipan Tribune in a social media message. 

Omar Ajoste, who played in the Sonics team under Tudela, said Venus served as his “other father” after his biological father passed away in 2007.

“He (Abner) is a great mentor and father to me not only through basketball but life after basketball. I will never forget the countless hours of hard work he put into our basketball community for both the youth and adult basketball leagues such as the Bud Cup and other inter-island basketball leagues on Saipan.”

Ajoste then implored all CNMI basketball stakeholders to continue the work of Venus.

“We must all be one CNMI to continue his legacy through the sport of basketball and make our CNMI basketball a place of family and friendship.”

Pando Muleta, who played under Venus at Marianas High School in the 1990s, said he remembers his old coach as a very compassionate person.

“As a coach, what he hated the most was for his players to get into a fight. He implored us to just play fair and not fight. He also pushed players to be their best especially if they see potential in you.”

Adrian De Luna, one of the young players he brought under his wing, said Venus served not only as a mentor but also a second father to him growing up. 

“When I met coach Abner at the age of 13, I remember he told me, ‘you wanna play for my team’ and I said yes and our relationship started right there as a son-and-father relationship. He showed me the right way and what it needs to be done and he showed me the right way of playing basketball. Not just playing basketball but in life. I just want to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me, coach. You completely changed my life after I left Saipan.”

Referees Dado Vistal and Jess Pabula also remember Venus as being a fierce defender of the men in stripes in the sport. Both said that Venus always got their back when coaches or players question their calls during games. Outside the basketball court, Vistal and Pabula said he was like a best friend to them and a person who would never let you down.

On behalf of the family, Venus’ son, Marc, thanked the Commonwealth Health Center, especially the dialysis center; San Antonio Parish; Borja Funeral Homes; Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation; former BANMI members, the CNMI Legislature; and family and close friends for their steadfast support during these trying times. 

Venus died last April 17 due to complications from diabetes. He was 58 years old. He is survived by his wife Cristy and children Ruby, Jul, Marc, and James.