'Legend, 'articulate,' 'level-headed': Philippines mourns death of veteran sportscaster Ed Picson
Veteran sports broadcaster Ed Picson has died. He was 69.
Picson's alma mater Colegio de San Juan de Letran confirmed his passing on Wednesday, April 19.
He died due to complications from liver cancer, his colleague and friend Quinito Henson said.
Picson was a commentator in the Philippine Basketball Association from the '80s to the early aughts. He's also in the '90s boxing show Blow by Blow, which covered the humble beginnings of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Later on, Picson joined the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines or ABAP, serving as executive director for many years and then secretary general. He was elected president in November 2021.
Picson's friends and the local sports industry took to social media to mourn his passing.
Henson described him as a "legend" in sports broadcasting. "He will be missed."
Bill Velasco, who worked with Picson in the early '90s, said he was always articulate, level-headed, and spoke his mind. "A great sportscaster, voice talent, and boxing official. God bless you, kind sir," Velasco said.
Boxer Eumir Marcial, who won bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said he will forever treasure his friendship with Picson, who he said instilled him with values and knowledge.
"Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan palage mong sinasabi sa akin at sa ibang tao na ako ang paborito mong boksingero," Marcial wrote. "Hindi ko makakalimutan na aakyat ka lang sa taas ng gym kapag ako na yung naga sparring."
TV sportscaster Martin Javier cited the veteran's catchphrase "Ed Picson po lamang" and noted that Picson served as one of his idols growing up. "Rest in power, sir. A true sportscasting legend."
Sen. Sonny Angara also tweeted, "RIP Ed Picson," along with prayer, boxing glove, basketball, and microphone emojis.
The Philippine Sports Commission also honored Picson in a Facebook post, taking note of his status as a veteran sportscaster and the president of ABAP.
Smart Araneta Coliseum, meanwhile, had an honorary final buzzer before the April 19 game of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals between Ginebra and Talk N' Text.