Billy Ray Bates: first encounter

Super import Billy Ray Bates was this writer’s first interview ever. The summer after second year college, the reed-thin version of yours truly shifted from economics to communication arts, and decided to test the waters of television. I apprenticed with the merchandising department of what was then City2 (before the EDSA revolution paved the way for ABS-CBN to be returned to its true owners the Lopez family). One of my first jobs was to interview the new import of the Crispa Redmanizers named Billy Ray Bates.

At the sweltering hot Greenmeadows gym, I casually walked up to this massive, tree trunk-like newcomer sitting on the bench, wearing a green Snake Jones jersey. Byron “Snake” Jones was Bates’ predecessor, at a time when imports were allowed to be 6’9”. Jones had had some fabulous duels with Toyota’s other reinforcements like Andy Fields, but could not play because import were short for that conference.

I casually asked Mr. Bates if I could have a word. He wiped his face (this was before he made the white headband his trademark game accessory), stood up to his full height, looked down at me and firmly asked: “What do you want?” in a voice that sounded like he was gnarling gravel. Naturally, I was flustered. But he turned out to be very accommodating, if a bit cautious, because this would be the first time for him to see action in the PBA.

Of course, everything that followed has become cemented in Philippine basketball lore: the scoring outbursts (both on and off the court), the merchandising man that followed, his rants of “I am Superman! I am Superman!” on nationwide television, and the championships. Soon he would have his own gaudy (some would say tacky) collection of Grosby hightops, complete with ankle straps. He was the toast of the town. And he not only drank in it, he dove headfirst into it.

I remember a story of one former PBA MVP from Crispa’s heyday, of how they were so impressed because their new import was drinking orange juice during practice. Then, upon closer inspection, the smell of the jug of screwdriver mix leaked out. This was the first sign of overindulgence to come. But they were winning, so nobody really complained. And when he made his mark with Michael Hackett and Ginebra, the frenzy grew even wilder.

I checked the NBA Register of a few season before. There were glowing remarks about his amazing athleticism and ability to take over games (he once threw a tomahawk dunk down so forcefully he bowled over 6’11” backboard-slasher Darryl Dawkins). But there were also comments about how he once slept through the first half of a game as a Portland Trailblazer. Still, the stories were so compelling that they were actually part of the impetus for Rafe Bartholomew to fly from New York to Manila and spend three years of his life writing “Pacific Rims”. That first-ever book written by a foreigner on Philippine basketball became the third-best selling book in the country in 2010, behind the “Twilight” series and Joel Osteen’s “Purpose Driven Life” books.

The Black Superman’s troubles are well-documented. In a piece entitled “Seven dollars and five years in prison”, this writer recounted his last big mistake, and his subsequent boast of how prison basketball was tough enough to match the NBA. Now, though, Bates has straightened out his act, and is the skills coach of the AirAsia Philippine Patriots of the ASEAN Basketball League. One of his first tasks is to teach underprivileged youth and flood victims in Pampanga.

“Sports brings together classes, races and communities in shared pride,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Maan Hontveros said at the press conference launching the clinics, held at the esteemed Hotel Stotsenberg at Clark, Pampanga. “Sports are important not only for physical and mental development of our children, but for national development.”

Bates called to mind my first encounter by sporting another borrowed jersey, left over by from 6’7” journeyman Alex Crisano, who played with the Patriots last season. He was both impressed, humbled and thrilled by the attention he has been receiving since his return to be enshrined in the PBA Hall of Fame.

“I’d really like to thank all the fans for remembering me,” Bates said. “The level of basketball in the country has really improved so much since I was last here.”

Bates is finding fulfillment in giving back to the country that made hm a sports immortal, thanks to the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, and making a positive influence on a new generation of players that never got to see the Black Superman fly.

* * *

Congratulations to former PSC chair Butch Ramirez for his appointment as athletic director of Ateneo de Davao. The University, under its president Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., is embarking on an ambitious sports development program, including the construction of a new gym, track oval and two swimming pools, as well as an Ateneo de Davao Institute of Sports and a Center for Sports Excellence.