Nothing perhaps could have been more fitting for a man who made basketball his calling that in the final moments of his life early Saturday morning, Jun B was talking about basketball with friends and colleagues who shared his love of the game.

Jun B had died the way he had lived. He did not want to burden his friends, always thinking of them first, and himself last.

As Sonny Barrios recalled it, Jun B kept his pain to himself late Friday night even though there were already signs that he was unwell.

He did not want to be the cause of the party breaking up early, a surprise gathering he helped organize for his friend Moying Martelino who was celebrating his 72nd birthday.

"He took charge of inviting my friends in sports, while one of my sons, with whom he had conspired for the surprise party, was in charge of inviting non-sports friends and relatives," recalled Martelino.

Martelino said that when he arrived at the Manila Polo Club expecting a small dinner for his family, there was Jun ahead of the welcoming group of some 120 people, extending his hands, embracing him and wishing him happy birthday.

It was around 10 p.m. when Jun first felt discomfort. Barrios, who served as Jun B’s executive director when he was PBA commissioner from 1993-2002, said his buddy excused himself and said he was going to the lavatory because he must have eaten something bad.

Barrios said it was a series of coming and going to the comfort room that night for Jun until at around 1 a.m. Saturday, his return took a little longer.

Ricky Palou, another Jun B buddy, went to look for him. He was found slumped in one of the cubicles unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"He was doing nothing in the bathroom," said Barrios. "He was just resting, perhaps hoping that the discomfort would subside and we could all go home after a while."

On hindsight, Barrios said Jun could still be alive today had he decided to ask his friends to rush him to the hospital on the first sign that he was not feeling well.

Barrios said Jun’s behavior was typical of the guy. "He did not want to be a burden to anyone, or for anyone to worry about him. He did not want anyone to miss the fun because of him."

He was especially concerned about his wife, Mimi, who was also there at the party, said Barrios. Mimi and one of Jun’s B’s four children were scheduled to leave for the US today.

"Please talk to her and tell her I’m with friends talking about something," Jun told Barrios telling him what to say should Mimi come looking for him.

"Our conclusion is that he was hoping to ride out the problem, let Mimi and the daughter leave, and then have a check up soon after," Barrios said.

It never happened. He probably had this notion that everything about what he can do for himself can be postponed for another day. But doing things for others can’t wait.

Jun showed no premonition his world was about to end. But Sonny Barrios recalled that a few days ago, Jun B called from out of the blue, asking that they meet.

"I thought it was just another meeting with a group of friends, about basketball, about volleyball and other official matters," said Barrios. "It was always like that."

To his surprise, Jun B, for the first time, wanted a one-on-one talk.

"So we talked," he said. "And it was about life, about family, about children, about the good old times. It was fun."

A few days later, Jun B was dead.