Mystery in Celtics guard's Pinoy roots

NEW JERSEY – Boston Celtics reserve Nate Robinson was once quoted in Dime Magazine’s website as confirming he’s 1/8 Filipino and “Pacific Rims” author Rafe Bartholomew said the 5-9 guard’s mother Renee Busch mentioned in an interview that her grandfather was Filipino.

But in a Star conversation the other day, Busch said from what she knows, Robinson has no drop of Filipino blood. The conflicting versions put to doubt whether Robinson could play for the Philippine national team as a dual citizen in the future.

 Sounding uncertain, Busch couldn’t be too sure of her son’s lineage. She referred this writer to her mother Arlene for a clearer picture of Robinson’s heritage. Her mother did not return calls on a home telephone number.

Robinson, 26, is the oldest of three half-brothers and four half-sisters. He is the only child of his parents Jacque, a former University of Washington football player, and Renee. His father has two sons and three daughters with another wife while his mother has a son – Anthony, 24 – and a daughter – Jasmine, 22 – with another husband.

Robinson himself has three children – Nahmier, 5, Ny’ale Cameron, 3, and Navyi Caiann, 1.

“As far as I know, Nate has no Filipino blood but was raised in a Filipino family environment,” said Busch. “My mother or Nate’s grandmother should be able to fill in the details of his Filipino background. Our friends are either Filipino or black. In Seattle where I live, our closest friends are Filipinos – the Bacanis.”

Robinson, interviewed by writer Gerald Narciso in dimebag.com, said he grew up eating Filipino food like lumpia with sweet and sour sauce. His mother said he was influenced by Filipino values as a boy.

“My little sister speaks Tagalog – that’s how close we are with Filipinos,” said Busch. “I understand a little Tagalog myself. And I suppose so does Nate. I know he’d love to visit the Philippines. He’s been to China promoting basketball for the NBA and I’m sure he could do the same in the Philippines.”

Busch said Robinson, a restricted free agent, is busy sorting out offers for the next season.

“Nate’s due for a big contract because he played real well for the Celtics in the playoffs,” said Busch. “It’s difficult to reach him now. He’s busy negotiating. This is his chance to secure his future. I tried to watch as many games as I could during the playoffs. In the Finals, I watched all the Los Angeles games and two in Boston. It was a wonderful run for Nate. I think the Celtics had a real chance to win it all.”

Busch said she’ll support her son wherever he goes in his NBA journey. Robinson began his career with the New York Knicks in 2005-06 and joined the Celtics last February.

“I’d prefer Nate to play closer to home (Seattle),” she said. “He’s played in the East Coast his entire NBA career. It would be nice if he could play in the West. But anywhere he goes, I’ll be there for him.”

Busch said playing for the Philippine national team is an intriguing possibility.

“Why not?” she said. “I’m sure Nate will consider it with his manager if that option is possible. He’d love to go to the Philippines because he’s heard so much about the country from his Filipino friends.”

Busch said there was never any doubt in her mind that Robinson would become a star in sports.

“Nate was always very athletic,” she said. “He started walking when he was six months old. When he was two, he started playing sports. He did track and football in high school until he concentrated on basketball.”

Robinson was 13 in the eighth grade when he first dunked, using a volleyball. In 2002, his father veered him away from football and made him focus on basketball.

Busch, 48, is the dance coach at Rainer Beach High School which Robinson attended and also manages a beauty salon in Seattle.

Robinson, the NBA’s only three-time slam dunk champion, averaged 10.1 points in 56 games, including 26 with Boston, last season. In the Finals, he hit at a 4.9 clip for the Celtics. Robinson has averaged 12.0 points in 338 games, including 61 starts, in his five-year NBA career. He’s only the second NBA player standing 5-9 or less to score at least 45 points in a game – the first was Calvin Murphy.