In June 1985, a horrific accident left nine-year PBA veteran Mike Bilbao nearly lifeless on the Alabang Zapote road on his way to a baptismal party one weekend morning. The Land Cruiser he was driving was crushed by a wayward truck. A lesser man wouldn’t have survived.
The left side of Bilbao’s body was badly battered. The skin on his arm was scraped to the bone. His left ear was severed and found resting on his chest after the smash-up. It was later sewn back with no damage to his hearing. Bilbao underwent a series of operations to patch him up and today, doctors are still amazed at how he managed to cheat death.
Bilbao was only 33 when his life almost ended. Early that year, he decided to retire from the PBA and chart a new course in life. A lot of fans felt Bilbao had at least three more solid playing years left but he was determined to start a new life in California with wife Techie and their son Fabrizio.
Bilbao was a whiz on the court, one of the headiest ever to play in the local leagues. He initially made his mark as a hardcourt hero in leading La Salle to the NCAA seniors title in 1971 with a cast that included Lim Eng Beng, Doy Escober and Julee Lim, now all deceased. After playing out his varsity eligibility, Bilbao took his sneakers to the MICAA commercial league and at 19, wore the Mariwasa colors under coach Tito Eduque. In 1976, he turned pro.
Despite his short ceiling, the 5-9 Bilbao refused to be intimidated by the PBA giants. He thrived in defense, breaking up plays and racking up steals. On offense, he was the master penetrator with the perfect assist pass. He could also shoot from beyond the arc but given the choice, he preferred to play decoy and whip the ball to an open teammate. He was unselfish on the court and used his brains to outwit the opposition. By the time Bilbao hung up his sneakers, he had compiled 1,861 points in 319 games over nine seasons, eight with Yco-Tanduay. The only other team he played for was Beer Hausen. At the end of his career, Bilbao ranked fifth in all-time steals and seventh in assists.
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Bilbao’s friends and fans got together to organize a benefit event called “For The Love Of Mike” at the PhilSports Arena a few months after the accident. It was a huge success and over 12,000 fans came out to express their love for Bilbao. Bilbao couldn’t attend but sent a taped message that was aired over the public address system. “I am touched, honored, grateful and overwhelmed by this tribute,” he said. “To all of you and those watching and all concerned, I am more than grateful for all the help, prayers, moral support and encouragement given to me. I am sure that were it not for all of you, my road to recovery would not be as smooth. I shall remember and be grateful forever.”
Among the stalwarts in organizing the event were Bobong and Ricky Velez of Vintage, Joaqui Trillo, Jay Gervasio, Luigi Tabuena, Butch Albert, Mike Enriquez, Alex Malixi, Nonong Santillan, Vince Salgado and Lito Tanjuatco. The event featured a game between the Mike Selection (including Martin Nievera, Richard Gomez and William Martinez) and the Bilbao Selection (including Gary Valenciano, Tirso Cruz III and Aga Muhlach) and a showdown between the Reinforced 1973 Philippine team (including Sonny Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Norman Black, Ricardo Brown and Atoy Co) and the Philippine 1985 Jones Cup champion (including Chip Engelland, Jeff Moore, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic and Hector Calma).
Today, Bilbao lives with Techie in Palm Beach county, Florida. He still walks with a limp, his left leg shorter than the right because of the accident and wears an elevated shoe to balance his stride.
“Migs is fine and helps me keep house when I go to work,” said Techie who is involved in fashion retail. “When we moved to the US, we lived in the four corners of Washington, California, Connecticut and New York then Florida. Migs doesn’t enjoy the plane rides to Manila with the metal plates on all his left limbs. He is quite mobile but has a permanent bend on his left badly-scarred humerus. He holds the fort at home patiently. He can’t stretch his arms so he can’t even play golf. He’s a big help with my OCD home chores.”
The Bilbaos’ only child Fabrizio lives in Chicago with his wife Anna. Both are engaged in high-end designer fashion retail.
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“Migs keeps in touch with immediate family and friends like Rene and Maruja Canent and Jay and Malu Gervasio,” she went on. “We are in close touch with the Trillos, especially Dada, also Lily Chan. I have not lost touch with practically all of my schoolmates, friends, colleagues and family in Manila.”
Asked about his most memorable moments in basketball, Bilbao recalled the championships for La Salle with Eduque, playing on the NCAA Selection also with Eduque, the ABC Youth with Fely Fajardo, Mariwasa again with Eduque, Yco with Bonnie Carbonnell and Ed Ocampo and Yco-Tanduay playing with Freddie Webb and Canent. Bilbao also remembered winning PBA titles as assistant team manager at La Tondena, not as a player.
It’s been 30 years since Bilbao’s accident and with God’s grace, he’s alive and blessed by the love of his family, friends and fans. In the Land of the Giants, Bilbao defied the odds as a real life David battling the Goliaths of the game. Off the court, he has also defied the odds in surviving a near-death episode to inspire everyone that anything is possible with faith in God, a fighting heart and an undying love for those who care.