Fortunato "Atoy" Gan Co Jr. (born October 15, 1951) is a Filipino former basketball player and coach who played 13 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association, mostly with Crispa Redmanizers. Nicknamed "The Fortune Cookie" (a pun on his name and ethnicity) during his playing days, he was notable for his trademark turnaround fadeaway jump shot.[1] He is also a former politician and actor.
Atoy Co | |
|---|---|
 Co in 2010 | |
| Member of the Pasig City Council from the 1st district | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 15, 1951 Pasig, Rizal, Philippines |
| Basketball career | |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 168 lb (76 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Mapúa Institute of Technology |
| Playing career | 1975–1988 |
| Position | Shooting guard / point guard |
| Coaching career | 1989–1991, 2012–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1972–1984 | Crispa Redmanizers |
| 1985–1986 | Manila Beer Brewmasters |
| 1987–1988 | Great Taste/Presto Ice Cream |
| As coach: | |
| 1989–1991 | Crispa 400 |
| 2012–2018 | Mapúa Cardinals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As head coach: As commissioner:
| |
Collegiate and amateur career
Co joined the Mapúa Cardinals in 1970 and played for the Mapúa team for three years. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) during his first two years.[2] He also brought his wares with the old Crispa team in the MICAA.
Professional career
Co first played in the PBA on April 22, 1975, scoring 34 points and leading Crispa to a 113-102 win over CFC, the team's first victory after starting the season with three straight defeats.
During his PBA stint, he played for the two-time grand slam champion Crispa Redmanizers from 1975 to 1984, with him as one of the team's top scorers. In 1976, he received the All-Filipino Sports Award for Basketball.
Post-PBA career
Acting career
Co ventured into television and films after his playing days were over, first as a co-host for the noontime show Student Canteen over at RPN (now Solar TV), and started alongside action stars like Phillip Salvador in films such as Delima Gang in 1989. He made a career mostly out of playing supporting roles in films and television series.
Politics and other interests
Co became a politician when he served as a long-time city councilor of Pasig from 1998 to 2007.[3] In 2010, he ran again as councilor and was successful in his reelection bid.[4]
He also operated a sports bar named Atoy's at Metrowalk, Pasig.[5]
Coaching career
In 1989, Co became the coach of the Crispa 400 in the PABL, leading the team to two titles in 1990 and 1991.
He served as the head coach of his alma mater, the Mapúa Cardinals, from 2012 to 2018.[6][7]
Commissioning career
In 2013, Co became the first commissioner of the UNTV Cup, which is the first charity basketball league dedicated for public servants in the Philippines, an original concept by "Mr. Public Service" Daniel Razon.[8]
Coaching record
Collegiate record
| Season | Eliminations | Playoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | PCT | Finish | PG | W | L | PCT | Results | |
| Mapua Cardinals | |||||||||
| 2013 | 2 | 16 | .111 | 10th | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2014 | 4 | 14 | .111 | 10th | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2015 | 12 | 6 | .667 | 3rd | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Final Four |
| 2016 | 12 | 6 | .667 | 3rd | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Final Four |
| 2017 | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10th | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2018 | 6 | 12 | .333 | 7th | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| Totals | 39 | 69 | .361 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | 0 championships | |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Bobo Cop | |||
| 1989 | Delima Gang | |||
| 1991 | Uubusin Ko ang Lahi Mo | Jun | ||
| 1992 | Boy Recto | Damian Mendiola | ||
| 2004 | Pakners | Police Officer | ||
| 2010 | My Amnesia Girl | Tatay Diego |