Hundreds of imports have graced the Philippine Basketball Association hardwood since 1975. Perhaps a dozen have truly left an impression on fans. But you could count on one hand those who have been truly beloved by the populace. And only two have been given the honorific of “Mr. 100 Percent.” One of them is six-time champion Sean Chambers.
Chambers, named one of the 20 greatest basketball players in the history of Sacramento, California, was recently back in town upon the invitation of a pro team, and has been surveying the landscape, studying how he can come back on a full-time basis and contribute to the most beloved sport in the country that embraced him as one of our own. It was only when he first came to the country that he realized that hoops could actually be a livelihood. In fact, as the pandemic loomed, he actually came close to signing a contract to coach a high-profile college team in the country. He has always had this connection with Filipinos, which he never fully understood until well beyond his playing years.
“I didn’t know anything about the Philippines, of the Philippine culture or its people growing up as a kid,” Chambers told The Star. “I say that, and then I go back and think about some of the friends I had in high school. Didn’t know they were Filipino. They were just my friends; they were Filipino. My first day staying at the Silahis Hotel on Roxas Boulevard, the first day I walked around, I instantly felt like this was a natural fit for me.”
Chambers first came to the country to play as part of a selection of the IBA, a league for players 6’4” and below. He beat NBA veteran Billy Ray Bates in a slam dunk contest, the immediately was embraced by local fans. After a disappointing tryout with the Charlotte Hornets, Sean received a call on the courtesy phone at Los Angeles Airport, and was told he had a job at Alaska Milk. Six championships and the 1996 PBA Grand Slam later, he was a fixture in the league, so much so that even former President Corazon Aquino told him that he was her favorite player of all because he did things the right way on and off the court.
Before the pandemic, the timing wasn’t ideal for Chambers to come over. Now, his daughter is in her fourth year of college, and his son is also finishing his studies. The Dean of Student Affairs at Fern Bacon Middle School also realized a strange thing had happened. Players and even coaches from other teams he played against suddenly reached out to him. Since Alaska was no longer in the league, Sean was no longer an “enemy.” It’s as if everyone had been given permission to be his friend. In March, Chambers will return, perhaps to ink an agreement to help the national youth or women’s team, or coach a PBA or UAAP school.
“I think I have to give a lot back to my mother, the way I was raised,” Chambers admits. “Very similar upbringing to your typical Filipino. Be respectful. Be disciplined. Listen to your elders. Eat your vegetables. And never, ever can you be mayabang talaga. Never. You must be a very, very good man at all times.”
And Sean has definitely lived up to those lofty standards. The Sean Chambers story will be featured on “Masters of the Game,” Sunday at 8 p.m., on PTV.