Happy Birthday, Romulo “Mama” Mamaril! ( Apr 12 )

Happy Birthday, Romulo “Mama” Mamaril

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

7x PBA champion
Mapua Red Cardinal center
1977 Asian Youth gold medalist 
Once the tallest player in the PBA

Mama, say those who know him well, was a tall, reedy fellow from Pangasinan who used to play basketball only in local leagues. He was spotted one day in Tayug, Pangasinan by General Ramon Cannu, Sr., then Regional Commander assigned to the province. The general was a rabid sports buff, and immediately saw in the already tall Mama the promise of a deadly basketball player for the big leagues. He wasted no time in recruiting Mama for the Army, and had him undergo special training in basketball. He was fed with a special "basketball player's diet" too. That started it all for Mama's basketball career. Eventually, Mama played for the Philippine Army, then Mapua Tech, then ITM-where he first played with and forged bonds with his current teammate, Victor "Rambo" Sanchez, also a Mapua and ITM alumnus. Mama became a member of the RP Youth Team of 1977 and had his share of out-of-thecountry campaigns. From there Mama slid into his green Crispa uniform where he remained a potent threat on the bench, though never quite utilized. In 1985, after Crispa disbanded, he suited up for Ginebra and was given the best break of his career. Coach Sonny Jaworski gave Mama ample playing time and entrusted him with shovels-full of confidence. Jaworski gave Mama exposure. Mama responded. In still memorable visual images, one remembers Mama blocking shots, getting rebounds, making follow-ups for Ginebra in 1986. He helped carry the Gins to their first ever championship in last year's Open Conference. Then in 1987, Mama joined the Gins' most mortal enemy the Rhum Makers. He seemed deadset on making this move. "We'd see him almost everyday at the office, waiting to talk to Turo or Mr. del Gallego," an Elizalde employee said. Mama's cousin, Bernie, who is also his constant companion, says Mama held off signing for other teams who had also shown interest in him because he was with Tanduay. The soft-spoken Mama smiles as he remembers this. "Mas ginhawa ang katawan ko dito," he says. "Magaling magdala si Turo. Pag-practice, pinapabayaan lang niya kami. Pero pag game na, doon niya hihingin sa 'min ang nalalaman namin. At kailangan pumukpok kami. Siyempre magde-deliver kami." Turo Valenzona, say erstwhile basketball analysts, rode on Mama's already blossoming confidence (given to him by Jaworski) and utilized it effectively in Tanduay's quest for the title. Mamaril grabbed crucial rebounds, performed beautifully from the foul circle, blocked shots, and made conversions even stole balls for an all-around performance! "One mistake Great Taste made," says a PBA observer, "is that they took Mamaril for granted. Akala ng kalaban, bano pa rin siyang maglaro, kaya pinabayaan. So in Game 2, nag-double team sila kay Thirdkill ay nilibre si Mamaril. Doon sila nagkamali. Mautak ang Thirdkill, kaya panay ang pasa sa open man si Mama. Ayun. Si Mama ang kumuba sa kanila."