In years of watching PBA, I never thought that majority of my favorite players will be compromised by those they tagged as Fil-Ams. I had to admit, during the early years (in 1999 to be exact), I was one of those that were worried about the growing numbers of half Filipino players. I'm fully aware how some locals were really vocal about these issue especially when some had been proven not to have Filipino blood on them. Who will not forget the case of Sonny Alvarado, Rob Parker and my fave Al Segova (he's my fave because we share the same name..hahaha). But at the same time that I'm worried, I really can't forget how I appreciate the play, the hardwork and the talent shown by some, examples were Danny Seigle, Jeff Cariaso, Noy Castillo, Mike Hrabak, Chris Jackson, Andy Seigle and more. They've work hard enough, proved a lot, and provided quality games for fans, even help to pushed locals to their limit to match up with them.
I had to admit too, I was one of those who were shy to approach these guys. Aside from the fact that the effort to talk to them to a language I'm not used to was already overwhelming, I also used to think they're a bit snob. But I was just so wrong. Most of them are so approachable, so kind to their fans. Most of them try to speak in Tagalog too even though they have some difficulties doing it, most of them were not only the best on court but off court as well.
Here's my fave Fil-ams through the years and I'm sure some of you will agree they're among the nicest.
Alaska Aces Tony Dela Cruz
Back with Shell, Tony was already my fave. Yes, because he looks so gwapo, but more than that, he plays so simple and yet so effective. When he moved to Alaska, that's where I've seen how Tony can be more than effective. He's a good leader, an inspiration to his teammates. He's the go to guy on defense by the Aces, guarding even those that were faster and smaller than him, when he have the ball outside and shoots a jumper, you just have to count that one in too. And even though he really looks so serious, he's actually so game on some things like singing and dancing. (I will never forget the break dance with Joe Devance and the singing at the AKTV Center - hidden talent!) And he's really adored by fans because he was so easy to approach. Regardless of how many pictures you took with him, regadless if there's a special pose, he will just say yes. I'm so lucky to have known Tony Dela Cruz. I dreamed of having a jersey from him one day but was too shy to ask, and yet he gave one even without me asking. That's just the best.
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| Alaska Jersey #35 |
BMEG Michael Burtscher
During the time that I'm following Tony Dela Cruz back with Alaska, there's another Fil-foreign, actually he's Fil-Swiss, whom I taught can be a winner of the Most Friendly Award if ever there was one. This guy here, knows how to give sincere smile and hi's to everyone he met. His story was really inspiring and despite the not so good lucks that had happened to him (with injuries, not being included in the line-up and the like), he's still positive and work hard enough just the same. I'm personally glad when Coach Tim Cone acquired him and included him in the BMEG line-up. Coach Tim certainly knows how to give chance to those who work hard and Mike just deserves it. With playing time or not, I'm sure he's helping his team in any way he can. I think Mike also have the most number of facebook friends! It's too many he created another account just to make sure all who wants to add him up will be accepted. That's just hot friendly he is. He'll even try to answer in Tagalog if you speak to him in tagalog. He's one the best I've met and I'm just so thankful.
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| With BMEG now, Burtscher still is the friendliest player ever.:) |
Barako Bull Shawn Weinstein
I had known Shawn when he was drafted by Meralco because a close friend had a crush on him. When he was acquired by TNT during the 2011-2012 Philippine Cup, I had that opportunity to know him more and he's just so amazing. TNT fans were happy with what they have done for the team. During those days that the team was depleted due to injuries, him and Bam Gamalinda was given the opportunity and they didn't disappoint. More than that, Shawn was just as approachable to his fans especially in social networking sites. Just like Mike Burtscher, he accepted friend requests, replied to fans messages, like fans post of support, provide thank you comments and it's really overwhelming for us fans. He was reaching out to fans just the same. Even though Shawn's with Barako Bull now, he's still among my top fave. I'm very happy because with the minute being provided to him, he was giving quality play just like the way he did back then with TNT. He's a very positive kind of person too and that's one of the best traits he can share to us fans.
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| Shawn Weinstein now in Barako Bull |
Barako Bull Danny Seigle
DS as I've mentioned earlier was among my top fave back in 1999. It's because of the mismatch he creates and how he take advantage of it, it's because I've felt he had pushed my face locals back then like Jerry Codinera and Rey Evangelista to play tremendous defense against him, it's because he is awesome with those awkward jump shots, difficult lay-ups and clutch baskets. I've seen too how he had been bothered by injuries, trades and some other issues, but I just know Danny Seigle still have what it takes to be the same old DS. I know he'll be back. and now that he is, I'm one of those that were happy with it. Never mind that it's going to be against my fave team or my other fave players, whenever I see DS play, I was just so glad with it. I'm actually real shy to approach him, I rarely have picture with him, but I know how nice he is to his fans, especially to those who had been with him since his SMB days. He might never know me, but I know I'm lucky enough to watch him since then up until now. Fans are so lucky to have a Danny Seigle in this league.
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| Danny Seigle on his way to the locker. |
Talk N Text;
Rich Alvarez
Okay, most of my fave players are from Talk N Text and most of them are Fil-Ams. I've know Rich Alvarez however since his Redbull days. I've written once that Rich's middle name might be cool, he's one of the coolest person I've met. He's already my fave back with Ateneo, I was seeing Rey Evangelista on him, mostly doing some damage on hustle and defense, and he's just so nice to his fans. He will always say hi, he will always say something, he never had a bad mood even after a loss, he will even greet you and give you a hug. Now with all the social sites, he's as cool replying to tweets to him by fans, sharing some cool pics and stories and the like. He's awesome, he's the best and I'm never going to be tired of saying that.
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| This pic of Rich and Kyla made it to startalk before! haha! |
Jared Dillinger
Jared was my fave RP players with Coach Yeng Guiao's line-up. What he did back then in the FIBA tournament was simply amazing. I was a bit shy to approach him at first but long time fans of him had said he's one of the nicest and yes, they're definitely right about it. When I first had my pic with him, he even asked my name, asked how I'm doing and say thanks after the picture! He's one of those who will never say no to a picture (I remember too one victory party when he was the one who asked to have pics with us), he don't say no to favors (uhmm, thanks to the jersey and the jersey short to come haha), and he plays his best too, working hard every game, diving for loose balls, just to provide the fans and the team the win. Jared is really funny. He's really my influence why I signed up for twitter. He's frank, he's deep, he's mean sometimes, he really showed who he is and that's better. But for TNT fans like me, he's the best.
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| This is how Jared was appreciative of my support, he thank me with all the blessings,:) |
Harvey Carey
I knew Harvey as a hustle guy, a defender, a Fil-Am version of Rey Evangelista or Freddie Abuda. I appreciate how he plays and whatever he brings in the court. Harvey's been respected by many, fans and players of a different team alike and it's no wonder at all. He's such a great person. He's been loved by TNT fans and that's because he easily recognized fans too,he says hi every time (even during an on going scrimmages), will also say no to a picture, will reply to tweets. I'm lucky, I know I am. Harvey appreciates my pictures, appreciates my blogs, appreciate my support. That's how lucky I am. But the best thing about him, he always give us fans hopes after losses, promises that they're going to bounce back, reassured us fans that they'll play better. That's why our faith, my faith, never wavered with TNT. Because they have a Harvey Carey that will motivate you not to lose hope on them. And the better part is, all of them, really do work hard and usually bounce back, provide whatever they can to help the team. I'm just glad Harvey Carey's there.
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| Of course Harvey who never gets tired of thanking us fans. |
Jimmy Alapag
The thing was, I really didn't know that Jimmy Alapag was a Fil-Am (because he's last name sure sounds Pinoy). I've heard before that my fave team back then Purefoods was going to get him (on his rookie year) but I have no idea he'll be one of the best point guards this league will produce. I only had two seasons, to personally know Jimmy as I supported the Talk N Text. I had heard many great things about him, I know how many had respected him, I know the damage he creates against the team his up with but I'm glad, I finally had experience how nice he is. Even if I'm seated at the upper side of Araneta, I can always feel how Jimmy Alapag inspires his teammates. I've witnessed it so many times, he does that inside the court and even when he's at the bench. He inspires his fans, he reaches out to them just the same in twitter, see them after the game, agrees to have pictures with them. He also make sure he spent time with them, having his own get together. I wasn't able to attend the latest one but I'm already honored to be invited. I even had the guts to kid Jimmy once that I like taking picture with him because he's not that tall and I don't feel so small! Hahaha Jimmy just laughed it out and said he looks big in the court. He sure is! He's character is bigger than one can imagine.
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| I think Jimmy Alapag was sending Thank You tweets here. |
Kelly Williams
You know, Kelly was really an awesome player. When he was with Sta.Lucia, the MVP, the championship, it was just deserving. I saw that series against Purefoods back in 2008. Yes it had to be against my team then Purefoods. But if you see how great he plays, all I can do was accept and appreciate the game they had all played. I'm aware too of what had happened to him after that. Only he knows, only he can described how hard it was, but he had accepted it, he fought, he had rose. We know his story. And we're glad we did. He keeps on inspiring people and that includes me. This time, it's not just about basketball. It's about life. Kelly's a quiet guy. And I'm personally shy to approach him. But just like the others, he's really cool. More than being kind to fans, more than working hard on every game, it's the way he inspires all of us that matters. That's why he's included in my list.
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| Kelly Williams on his thank you speech during the Victory Party |
Ryan Reyes
Ryan Reyes is my fave even with Sta.Lucia too just like Kelly Williams. We all know how hard working he is, we all know how good he is at the court and now with TNT, he was still doing the same. As I've said before, I'm just glad I'm supporting a team that has Ryan Reyes. I know Ryan Reyes just like the others are good to and nice to his fans. Some times I had to admit, he also looks so quiet and I really don't approach him during those times. But most of the times I did approach him, he can be as makulit. I remember one time I had these pictures I will ask Larry Fonacier to sign, he wants to look at it and I don't want to show it to him because it's all Larry. He insisted and when he saw it he said, "wow puro stolen shots! paparazzi!" Hahaha all I can do was agree. Then when I lined-up during the autograph session at the Araneta Coliseum, when it's his turn to sign and some lose papers fall out, he took it and put it into his pockets! I also remember one time when he was rushing to go home and we wanted to have a picture with him, he said he needs to go immediately and can't have the picture, we understand it of course and just look at him as he rushed, then his car passed, he looked at us and said again his sorry and even explained in a rushed manner too. He's still amazing just the same and I'm glad to support him just the same.
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| My stolen shot of Ryan Reyes. Will he say I'm a real paparazzi? Probably! lol! |
There are more awesome Fil-Ams like Ali Peek, Jeff Cariaso, Joe Devance, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss. I'm sure there's a long list there. The good thing was it's never an issue anymore that they're half Filipino, because with the characters they have shown, in the court or outside, they were so Filipino.
