Since he has decided to move on (and get a life away from us), I am republishing a piece (with very minor revisions) originally written for his birthday six years ago.
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Si Rey Evangelista... bow
A college ball player just recently asked me: "Ano gusto mo talaga sa isang player?" He was of course on a fishing expedition, wanted me to say things that best describe him. I gave him the following answers: a hardworker, one who doesn't curse and one who doesn't make reklamo all the time.
He met the first and the last but can't argue with me as to my second criteria. I did catch him twice. He said he didn't mean to, it was an expression. Precisely, I told him, and it's bad.
I've been watching basketball for as long as I can remember and cursing is... part of the game? I think it's a guy thing. And I don't understand it.
I honestly can't think of anyone else who meets my idea of an ideal basketball player but Rey Evangelista. And I'm not exaggerating. Totoo po, promise. I mean, you see the guy on court, he hardly even say anything. Mahirap basahin. You don't know what's going through his mind. Which is good for the team but sometimes I wish he smiles naman a bit. Para lang may variety ang facial expressions. Parang emoticons, maraming choices.
Kuya Rey (I think I've already asked permission for this) first came to my senses in 1993. September 18, 1993 to be exact. It was UST's last game in the eliminations of UAAP's season 56. Saturday afternoon's classes were to be suspended, the memo said Friday morning. Walang klase! Ang saya! Only we realized later wala pala talaga kami pasok kasi Sabado. It wasn't clear to me then kung bakit and ano meron. I thought it was the championship game, hindi pala. They're gunning for a sweep. Say what? Just go and watch, I was told.
Good thing I did.
It was my first UAAP game and it was awesome. In all aspect. S'yempre panalo kami! I will never ever forget that day. Walang pasok the following Monday and Tuesday. Ang saya-saya! We had an overdose of Tiger power. They're everywhere. Posters and banners congratulating them mushroomed all over campus. I finally learned the names behind that historic sweep, thanks mainly to the Varsitarian Special Edition. (Sayang talaga, I just got rid of my copy two months ago. You look... young pa naman do'n. Very young.)
Kuya Rey left us after that year and would resurface, hah, with my favorite team in the PBA, Purefoods. So I had the chance to see more of him, share more championships with him, and cry for him and the team when they loses.
To kuya Rey, this year is your tenth as a professional basketball player and quite special for you had just been named new team captain. I've always admired your on-court attitude and was one of those who prayed for you to be chosen as Cap's successor.
I would like to congratulate you for a decade of harwork and dedication to the game. As a Purefoods fan, I'm hoping and praying that you go the way of Cap who spent all his playing years at Purefoods.
Happy birthday, kuya Rey. I feel privileged to have watched you grow as a player through the years. I hope it's not too late for me to know naman the person behind the name.
Congrats again for the new role and may God bless you and your family more.
Smile, kuya Rey, you're on cam.
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To 16 years of sharing yourself to Purefoods fans, cheers, kuya Rey!
