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.
Collegiate and amateur career
Co joined the
Mapua 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.
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 RPTV), 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.
In 2010, he ran again as councilor and was successful in his reelection bid.
He also operated a sports bar named Atoy's at Metrowalk, Pasig.
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 Mapua Cardinals, from 2012 to 2018.
Sports management 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.
Coaching record
Collegiate record
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| 2013 | MIT | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2014 | MIT | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2015 | MIT | Semifinals |
| 2016 | MIT | Semifinals |
| 2017 | MU | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
| 2018 | MU | – | – | – | – | Eliminated |
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Filmography
