Gilas’ unsung hero does it all

MANILA, Philippines - The go-to guy off the court for the Philippine national basketball team scores big with the players who swear they’re lost if Rogelio (Bong) Tulabot isn’t around to tape, massage, mix protein drinks, provide Gatorade, bring fresh towels, ice their knees and ankles, lay out uniforms and rack up the balls for practice day in, day out.

Tulabot, 48, is all alone in his job as Gilas’ utility handyman. He left with the team for Miami and is now taking care of business at training camp in Vitoria, Spain. Tulabot will back up Gilas throughout the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14 and the Asian Games in Incheon on Sept. 19-Oct. 4.

Gilas naturalized center Andray Blatche is one of Tulabot’s biggest fans. “That’s my man,” said Blatche pointing to Tulabot who began his basketball career as a water boy for coach Ding Panganiban with Masagana 99 in the semi-pro league at the age of 22. Tulabot said he never backs down from work – the harder, the better. “Laban lang ng laban,” he said in a message from Vitoria relayed by Gilas team manager Aboy Castro. “Enjoy naman ako kasi para sa bayan ito.”

Castro said initially, the plan was to bring along Rolly Arguelles to help out Tulabot. “But Bong has shown he can do it alone through the years,” said Castro. “He’s been with several teams in the PBA and was with Purefoods even during coach Baby Dalupan’s time. Bong was with the national team in 2005-07 then rejoined Gilas with coach Chot (Reyes). He was with UP and Pharex when I coached then moved to Talk ‘N’ Text where he still works. Bong massages and tapes. He does everything. He was the only utility guy in Miami and also the only one to travel with Gilas for training in Lithuania and New Zealand last year.”

Castro said Tulabot is Gilas’ “secret weapon.” When consultant Tab Baldwin and Blatche made their shots in the team’s fun halfcourt shooting contests in Miami, they gave their combined cash prize of $170 to Tulabot. “Bong is doing the work of four people back in Manila all by himself,” said Castro. “He’s our mop man, gives the players their water, brings bags of ice to practice and games and transports all our gear including balls. Then, he goes out to buy Gatorade, mixes protein drinks and even massages. This guy does a tremendous job. Of course, the coaches and players help him out in buying supplies, carrying our gear but more often than not, he’s the man who does it all.”

Tulabot and his wife Lorna, 46, live in a rented Mandaluyong home with their children Darren Joseph, 24, Darwin John, 22 and Darlene Jhazz, 2. “I was 44 when I gave birth to Darlene,” said Lorna in Pilipino. “We never expected another child after 20 years but she’s a blessing. We all love and spoil her. She’s turning three soon. You wouldn’t believe that she’s a big Gilas fan and cheers for Japeth (Aguilar) and Jimmy (Alapag).”

Tulabot, the fourth of seven children, lived with an uncle Reynato Faustino when he was growing up. His father, a newspaper vendor from Tondo, was separated from his mother. After finishing high school, Tulabot made a small living as a cook selling lugaw in the streets. His uncle worked with Panganiban in agriculture and found out there was an opening for a water boy on the Masagana 99 team. That was Tulabot’s first break in the game. When Panganiban became Purefoods team manager, Tulabot moved to the PBA in 1988 and stayed with the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs up to 1996 under Reyes. Tulabot went on to work in utility for the MBA’s Manila Metrostars with coach Louie Alas and star player Alex Compton. In 2001, Tulabot worked with the Batangas Blades, also in the MBA, with coach Nash Racela and in 2004, with the College of St. Benilde varsity. In 2005, he was with the Ateneo juniors and the Philippine women’s team under coach Haydee Ong.

Tulabot was with Gilas in 2007 then joined coach Bong Ramos with the Brunei squad in the ABL before Reyes brought him to Talk ‘N’ Text in 2010. Tulabot’s services are constantly in demand because he’s a hard worker, he never complains and does his work efficiently and quietly.

Tulabot has seen the world because of basketball but never talks about it. “Bong started to travel with Purefoods, going to Hong Kong and Guam,” said Lorna. “He has now gone on so many trips. When he’s home, he washes the team’s towels and uniforms. It’s a little extra income for us to pay the rent. He likes to go to market and cook. We go to church in Baclaran and Quiapo. He doesn’t like being idle. When he has free time, we go out with our little daughter. But that’s not often. With Talk ‘N’ Text, he brings home wet towels and uniforms after every game and does washing until early in the morning. Sometimes, he cooks lutong-bahay for the team. Bong enjoys cooking for the players especially Jayson (Castro). His specialties are ginataang laing and binagoongan okra.”

Lorna said Tulabot doesn’t mind doing manual work. “When he left for Miami, he brought along 10 bareta of washing soap,” she said. “Even during the FIBA-Asia Championships last year, he still washed socks and other clothes of the team. Bong is familiar with what everyone needs. He brings coffee for coach Chot even before he asks for it. He knows when to massage Jimmy. He gets along with all the players and coaches. That’s how he is. When he was with Purefoods, several players became godfathers of our children like Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Bernie Fabiosa, Glenn Capacio, Joey Sta. Maria and also sportswriter Nap Gutierrez.”

After Gilas won the Jones Cup title in 2012, the team paid a courtesy call on President Aquino at Malacanang and Tulabot came along. Like every player and coach on the squad, Tulabot played a vital role in making the country proud of the feat.