Blackwater players share favorite stories of Gilbert Bulawan

MANILA, Philippines – The past few weeks have been tough for the Blackwater Elite franchise, and when the team opened its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on Saturday against the NLEX Road Warriors, they did so playing with heavy hearts.

During a July 3 Blackwater practice at the SGS Gym in Quezon City, 29-year-old Gilbert Bulawan collapsed. The Albay native was brought to Capitol Medical Center 10 minutes away and doctors attempted to revive him for 30 minutes, but the former San Sebastian College standout eventually passed away due to “massive cardiac arrest,” per team owner Dioceldo Sy.

An autopsy later revealed that Bulawan died because of an enlarged heart, per a report by Spin.ph. In the article, Sy says that Bulawan had thickened blood vessels in his heart.

When Bulawan collapsed during practice, the teammate he hugged and held on to was Reil Cervantes, who happened to be the 6-foot-5 player’s closest friend on the team.

“Araw-araw, magkatabi kami. Sa out of town, magkasama kami. Kahit saan. Kain,” Cervantes said after Blackwater’s defeat to NLEX.

(Every day, we’re next to each other. During out of town games, we hang with each other. Wherever. Even when we eat.)

“Napakabait [ni Gilbert], sobra. Tutuong tao, tsaka i mo-motivate ka niya.”

(Gilbert was really nice. He also was honest and would motivate you.)

Cervantes, who says he couldn’t practice with the Elite for days after his friend’s passing, recalled how the duo used to have light-hearted moments during gym sessions, usually involving music and Bulawan’s singing. 

“Siguro yung harutan namin. Kasi may dala akong speakers sa gym. Pag narinig na niya, kakanta na siya,” Cervantes said about his favorite moments with Bulawan, who liked to sing “old-school” songs, particularly those of Air Supply.

(I guess the playful moments we had. Because I bring speakers to the gym. Whenever he hears the songs, he’ll start singing along.)

“Nung Monday, dala ko speaker, parang naluha ako kasi, syempre, wala na siya. Sisigaw na yan pag may speakers.”

(I started tearing up, because, of course, he’s no longer here. He’d usually start screaming when speakers are around.)

Those who knew Bulawan talk about his comedic side when remembering him. Sy used to joke with the 6-foot-5 player by calling him Robin Padilla (famous Filipino actor), to which Bulawan would respond by saying Robin Patilla.

“Every practice na nandun siya, walang dull moments,” said Elite rookie Art Dela Cruz on Saturday. “Sobrang jolly na tao, walang day na hindi ka niya papasayahin. Especially pag tahimik yung practice, he’ll try to make a joke or something.”

(Every practice he was around, there wouldn’t be any dull moments. He was such a jolly guy. There wasn’t a day he wouldn’t make you happy. Especially if practice is quiet, he’ll try to make a joke or something.)

Bulawan’s high-energy play during practice and games, notably on the defensive side of the floor, also drew praise from his teammates. Prior to the Governors’ Cup, the Elite participated in a tournament in Malaysia, and according to Dela Cruz, Bulawan shined. 

“We were playing against 7-1, 6-11 guys, but… binigay niya talaga lahat. Actually walang naka score sakanya that time,” he said.

(He really gave his all. Actually, no one could score on him.)

Following the death of their teammate, Dela Cruz said that a lot of Blackwater players were absent during practice on the following days, and that it was a hard to focus on basketball. 

The Elite lit candles at the spot where Bulawan collapsed on their practice court, and have found a way to keep him a part of the team by naming a defensive sequence “Gilbert” on its playbook. 

Said Dela Cruz, “Kaya until now, sabi ni coach, hindi namin tatangalin yung Gilbert Bulawan sa system namin.”

(Even until now, according to coach, we won’t let go of Gilbert Bulawan.)

Jersey retirement

Bulawan’s number 11 jersey was retired in a short, pre-game ceremony before Blackwater faced NLEX. Cervantes held the retired jersey on mid-court, standing between the Elite’s alternate governor Siliman Sy and Dr. Icey Bulawan, Gilbert’s wife.

During the quiet moment at the Mall of Asia Arena, players of Blackwater were joking about what Bulawan was saying in the heavens as he watched his jersey get retired.

“Masaya [kami], kasi alam ko sa taas, nag yayabang na yan. Nagyayabang na siya yung one of the players na retire yung jersey that early,” according to a laughing Dela Cruz.

(We’re happy, because we know in the heavens, he’s already bragging. He’s bragging he’s one of the players to have his jersey retired this early.)

“Sigurado sa taas nag yayabang na yan na, ‘Ako lang! Ako lang yan!’”

(For sure he’s playing around up there saying, “Only me! Only I got that!”)

Even if Bulawan is no longer with them, Blackwater has found ways to remember its former teammate: through memories, jokes, a specific play, and many other methods. For the Elite, Bulawan’s impact is still present.

“Lahat naman kami masaya na na [retire] yung jersey niya. Alam namin na every game he’ll be there with us,” Dela Cruz said.

(We’re all happy his jersey was retired. We know he’ll be there with us every game.)  – Rappler.com