Just one relative is all he needs now.
Yes, the sad news is true: Antero ‘Terry’ Saldaña has passed away, succumbing to the kidney disease he so gamely fought, but ultimately could not overcome. He was 64.
Ed Cordero, himself a former PBA great and one of Saldaña’s teammates with the Toyota Super Corollas back in the day, confirmed the development to News5's Martie Bautista.
But the unfortunate news does not stop there.
According to Cordero, Saldaña’s remains are still in the morgue, to be released only to a relative. Unfortunately, the PBA’s so-called 'Plastic Man' no longer has any family here in the country—or at least not one who has reached out.
“Terry didn’t have a family anymore. His mother passed away. The only family he had went to the States,” said Cordero. “For the body of Terry to be buried, to be cremated, it will take a relative. Not us, not anybody. So, we’re trying to locate the closest kin of Terry...and we haven’t gotten in touch with any of them.”
Cordero is hopeful, though, that a relative will come forward soon and give Saldaña that final assist he needs.
Saldaña enjoyed a lengthy career in the PBA that began in 1982 with Toyota. He was a hardworking forward who made a name for himself doing the dirty work—defending opposing scorers, grabbing rebounds, winning 50/50 balls, and setting hard picks, among other things. He was also among the PBA’s first ever true enforcers, unafraid of anyone and willing to take on everyone.
But Saldaña was just as good on offense, with a reliable midrange jumper complementing a strong inside game that featured all sorts of twisting layups from odd angles—hence, earning Saldaña the 'Plastic Man' moniker.
And now Saldaña, remembered as “a soft-spoken, shy, and humble soul” by his former coach, Yeng Guiao, needs help. So he can get the proper burial he deserves.