Bowen likes the Barong Tagalog

Recent Manila visitor Bruce Bowen is known for his sartorial elegance so it wasn’t surprising that the 13-year NBA veteran brought back home to the US at least 15 pieces of clothing specially made by a local tailor.

A source said it was an assortment of suits, jackets, collared shirts and even a Barong Tagalog.

Bowen, 47, found out about made-to-order clothes in Manila from one of his buddies Dell Demps, a former PBA import now the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans. Demps, whose close friend is Filipino coach Derick Pumaren, has a wardrobe that’s stocked with Manila-made clothes. 

“When I was in high school, Dell showed me around the University of the Pacific campus (in Stockton, California) on a recruiting trip,” said Bowen. “I didn’t go to UOP but that’s where our relationship started. Next thing I know, we’re together in San Antonio with the Spurs. Dell’s a guy I admire tremendously because he was able to overcome different obstacles that he went through and when you have guys who’re able to navigate those types of situations, I’m inspired by them. When he first took the job in New Orleans, he was thrilled but was constantly working to try to create a winning culture. For the success they had this year, I’m happy for Dell because I know he’s put in a lot of work.”

As for Demps’ fashion influence, Bowen said it’s all about looking good. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” he said. “Through Dell, I’ve had some shirts made (in Manila) and maybe, I went with five suits way back when. But I have some more stuff going on right now. I like the shirt the President wears. I forgot the pronunciation (Barong Tagalog) but I enjoy that. I had it made so that I can bring my Philippine-ish part of me out to the world when I get back to the US. I definitely should wear it (when the NBA celebrates Filipino Heritage Night).”

Regarding the recent NBA Finals, Bowen said Golden State was the better-coached team. “I have an affinity to Steve Kerr because we were teammates in San Antonio,” he said. “Steve was just a guy who made things easy. It doesn’t surprise me to see Steve coaching. He was general manager in Phoenix, turned that club around when he was there and obviously, what he was able to do via TV (as a commentator), Steve has an uncanny way of making guys feel comfortable.”

Bowen recalled that in the NBA Finals in 2003, Kerr spoke to his Spurs teammates before Game 2. “We lost Game 1 and he talked to us about, hey, we’ve got Tim Duncan, David Robinson, we’re good but Steve had a way of just doing things in a way where guys felt comfortable and maximizing the most out of them,” he said. “That’s the thing I think is most underrated about Steve is that he was a great teammate, a great leader and a guy who’s secure within himself, he’s not concerned about, ‘well, look here Luke (Walton), I’m coming back soon,’ it was about, ‘hey, man, I want you to do well.’ And whenever you have someone like that, I think the only thing you can do is root for them and want to see them have the best opportunity they can have.”

The remarkable thing about Bowen is he was undrafted in the NBA in 1993 out of Fullerton State (where Marcio Lassiter and Ryan Reyes played) and labored as an import in France before signing a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat to mark his NBA debut in 1997. He wound up playing for Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and eight years with the Spurs. Bowen earned a reputation as a hard-nosed stopper and was named to five NBA All-Defensive Mythical First Teams. His No. 12 jersey was retired by the San Antonio franchise, an incredible milestone in the career of an undrafted player.

Bowen saw action on three San Antonio championship teams in 2003, 2005 and 2007. “The first championship was special because I started out in France and suddenly, I’m playing in the NBA Finals,” he said. “Not a lot of guys get that opportunity and to let alone, win. Number two was against Detroit, two defensive teams going up against each other. Everyone knew one another’s stuff and it was a battle of will and the fact that (Pistons coach) Larry Brown coached San Antonio while Pop (Gregg Popovich) was the GM. It was just really special to see those two come together and going about things the way they did and having a Game 7. You dream of those moments and we were able to pull out a victory. Then came the sweep in 2007 (over Cleveland). It’s always great when you sweep a team.