Rookie's dream comes true

MANILA, Philippines - It was a dream come true for rookie Mike Burtscher when the 6-5, 210-pound Swiss-born center was picked on the first round and fifth overall by Alaska in the PBA draft last August.

Burtscher, 24, said the other day he was down and almost out on his luck until the Aces came to the rescue. Now, he’s playing on the PBA’s only remaining unbeaten squad and contributing quality minutes off the bench as Sonny Thoss’ reliever.

For four months before the draft, Burtscher visited his wife Rita and their son Darin – who turned two last week – only on weekends as he worked out nearly everyday with Rain Or Shine practice player Mike Dizon in Quezon City.

Since arriving here from Switzerland to look for his estranged mother Juliet Morato in 2005, Burtscher has played for four PBL clubs and Taguig in La Liga. He started out with San Beda, left after a year due to a coaching change, tried out for La Salle and quit school when his transfer papers couldn’t be processed.

While playing in the PBL, Burtscher suffered a career-threatening ACL injury and had no money to pay for surgery. Luckily, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. George Canlas found out about his case and performed the operation, free of charge. To make ends meet, Burtscher worked in a call center during his six-month period of recovery.

Running out of playing options, Burtscher decided to join the PBA draft.

“It was my last chance,” he said. “I worked out with Mike nearly everyday in Quezon City and visited my family in Muntinlupa only on weekends. I wanted to focus on my training like (Manny) Pacquiao does when he’s in the gym. I remember when Kelvin (de la Pena) was drafted in the PBA. I told myself maybe, I could be drafted, too, someday. So when Alaska picked me, I couldn’t believe it at first. I cried. God made my dream come true.”

At Alaska, Burtscher has found a home. Coach Tim Cone called him the team’s hardest worker. “He runs sprints faster than L. A. (Tenorio) and leaves everyone behind,” said Cone. “He’s all over the floor, jumping, diving for the loose ball. He reminds me of Rudy Hatfield with his motor running all the time. Mike’s our energizer – he pumps up all the guys at practice and during games.”

Cone said assistant coach Luigi Trillo had coached Burtscher at Cebuana Lhuillier in the PBL and pushed for his selection in the draft.

“We wanted an athletic big man,” said Cone. “During the offseason, we saw Mike’s potential. In a game against Purefoods, he had 16 points and 16 boards playing against Rico Mairhofer. We all love him on the team. Everyone looks out for Mike – he’s got over 16 coaches, including our players, watching over him, teaching him the ropes.” No doubt, Burtscher’s upside is encouraging.

Late in Alaska’s win over Coca-Cola last Oct. 23, Burtscher hit a difficult baseline jumper and scored a layup for his first points ever as a pro. The Fil-Swiss could’ve dunked instead of settling for an unspectacular layup but he chose the less risk option.

“I was excited to get the opportunity to score,” said Burtscher who speaks French, German, English and Pilipino. “When I went up, I just wanted to make sure I made the basket.”

Burtscher was born in Baden, Switzerland. He never knew his biological father and grew up with his Filipina mother and Swiss stepfather. When his mother suddenly returned to the Philippines without notice, Burtscher was crushed. He was abused by his stepfather and left home, doing odd jobs to survive in the streets. Burtscher was 16, abandoned and homeless. He worked in a warehouse, did tiling work in bathrooms and had a job at McDonald’s.

Because he was tall, Burtscher was encouraged to play basketball. One of his friends Steve Crayton, an American, talked him into trying his luck in the US. Crayton’s parents were missionaries who arranged for Burtscher to enrol at Clearwater Christian College in Florida. Burtscher never got to play organized basketball in the US and after a year, went back to Switzerland.

Burtscher finished the equivalent of high school at Schulhaus Booststock and played two seasons for the BCZA Wildcats in a minor Swiss league. Then, he thought of looking for his mother in the Philippines.

Burtscher traced his mother to a mental institution in Leyte and discovered relatives living in Pasig. It wasn’t long after that Burtscher found himself playing basketball in pick-up games. Once, while playing at Green Meadows, he was spotted by San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen who referred him to then-San Beda coach Nash Racela.

Burtscher was recruited by Racela to play for San Beda in the Fr. Martin’s Cup but after the Red Lions hired new coach Koy Banal, he lost his spot in the rotation. Meanwhile, Burtscher met and fell in love with a tiny (barely five-foot tall) San Beda student Rita whose late father was from Zambia and Filipina mother works in Maryland as a teacher.

Burtscher later made his way to La Salle and played for the Green Archers in his second straight Fr. Martin’s Cup. But when he couldn’t process his transfer papers from San Beda, Burtscher was recommended by Pumaren to Trillo for Cebuana Lhuillier.

“Mike was the last man in Cebuana’s lineup,” said Cone. “He had little skills but Luigi remembered him to be very athletic, very enthusiastic and very hard-working. So when it was our turn to draft, Mike came to mind.”

During Typhoon Ondoy, Burtscher evacuated his wife and son from their rented Muntinlupa home which went underwater. Now, they live in an apartment close to Reyes Gym where Alaska practices. Burtscher fetches his wife, who works on the 4 p.m.-8 p.m. shift at HSBC in Alabang, after practice every day.

Burtscher said he wouldn’t have survived the trials in his life if not for his Christian faith and belief in God.

“I’m truly blessed,” said Burtscher who attends Sunday service at Victory Church with players like Kelly Williams and Rob Johnson. “My life is proof that God exists.”