Joey Mente

Joey Mente (February 24, 1976 – August 22, 2018) was a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Welcoat Dragons. He was drafted 10th overall by the San Miguel Beermen in 2001.

Joey Mente

Personal information
Born	(1976-02-24)February 24, 1976 Capul, Northern Samar, Philippines
Died	August 22, 2018(2018-08-22) (aged 42) Samar, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
College	Lyceum
PBA draft	2001: 1st round, 10th overall pick
Selected by the San Miguel Beermen
Playing career	1998–2008
Career history
1998–2000	Iloilo Volts/Megavoltz
2001–2005	San Miguel Beermen
2006–2008	Welcoat Dragons
Career highlights
PBA Slam Dunk champion (2001)

Career

Mente first played for the Iloilo Mega Volts standout in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association during the maiden season of the league.

Mente was drafted by the San Miguel Beermen and played there from 2001-2005. Though his height was 5'10", he participated in the PBA Slam Dunk Contest, and won as the "2001 Slam Dunk King". In the 2006-07 PBA season, he played 20 games for Welcoat in the 2006-07 PBA season and averaged 8.3 points per game 2.6 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per game.

Illness and death

In 2018, Mente was diagnosed with two tumors, one in his head and the other in his chest, and underwent surgery. He later had radiation treatment and went home to Samar for chemotherapy. He died on August 22, 2018, at the age of 42.^[1][2]