The man fondly called "Kume" or "Jun B" suffered an apparent heart attack Saturday morning and was dead on arrival at the Makati Medical Center.

"For me he’s more than just a commissioner. He’s a very close friend and he’s also close to my family," said former pro Allan Caidic, who now served as team manager of Coca-Cola.

"He had a big contribution to me as a player and also as a person," added Caidic who got close with Bernardino during his stint with the PBA-backed Philippine teams in several Asian Games.

Like Caidic, Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico remembered Bernardino for his genuine concern for members of the national team then training for the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea.

Uichico recalled that Bernardino, the team manager then, had just recovered from a heart attack, but continued to show up in the team practices.

"He could have just rested," said Uichico. "But he went there and supported the team all the way. That’s where we really became close. He’s also a true gentleman. His style of managing really stands out."

Kings forward Eric Menk said he got to know Bernardino better when he was already out of the PBA.

"Every time I meet him, he’ll go out of his way and ask how I was doing," Menk said.

PBA employees Ricky Santos, Hazel Ancheta and Gerry Mesias considered Bernardino as their second father.

"Whenever he makes transactions, he always puts the integrity of the PBA," said Santos, who first served as executive assistant and media officer of the league in 1996.

Santos is now the PBA chief of operations.

Long before she joined the PBA in 2000, Ancheta knew Bernardino during the Vintage Enterprise days. She said that the last time she saw Bernardino was Tuesday when he came to the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City.

"After attending a meeting there, he went to the different offices of those (employees) who worked for him during his time in the league to say hello, never knowing he’s saying goodbye," said a teary-eyed Ancheta.

Mesias, on the other hand, started as a caretaker in the PBA in 1981, but rose to become the league’s ticketing chief since 2003.

"Ninong namin s’ya ng wife ko (Rosemarie) sa kasal," said Mesias. "One time in-invite namin s’ya sa family outing, walang kiyeme, pinuntahan n’ya kami. Parang tatay ko na ‘sya eh."

Bernardino also served as ‘godfather’ to Norman and Carmen Black’s wedding.

Black came to the Philippines in 1981 to play in the PBA Open Conference as import of Tefilin Polyester, where Bernardino was an assistant coach and team manager.

"Well, he’s the first Filipino I met. He’s the one who met me at the airport," said Black "He’s also helped me adjust to the Filipino culture. Every time I had a problem I always called him."

Bernardino’s remains lie at the St. Alphosus de Ligouri Church in Magallanes Villa.