Happy Birthday, Romulo “Bong” Marata ( May 1 )

Happy Birthday, Romulo “Bong” Marata

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1997, PBA Rookie Draft 10th overall pick
1-season PBA player for Pop Cola
Adamson Soaring Falcon

Another Marata is making a name in the basketball world. And he's making it big. His name is Romulo Marata, the youngest of 11 basketball crazed Marata broods, but peers and friends fondly call him, "Bong". Unlike his brother Ric-ric of Sunkist Bottlers, Bong wasn't really expecting to come out and play professional basketball. During his high school days at St. Peters College in Iligan City, Bong spent his first two years playing football. Basketball only became a part of his lifestyle during his junior and senior years at high school where he joined the varsity. Coming into college, Bong played for the SouthWestern University where he didn't get to see much action. This was the time when Ric-ric asked him to come to Manila. Upon his arrival in Manila, Bong enrolled at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and was recruited in the Tiger's lineup right away. Being at UST didn't really work out for Bong. Coming from the province, he didn't really speak much Tagalog and he found it difficult to make friends. Not only was Bong finding it difficult getting around, his term in UST was cut due to academic problems.  this time for Casino Rubbing Alcohol during the first conference but transferred to Super Power Battery after his former team filed for a leave of absence. Though Bong had a very fruitful year, he had a couple of regrets. He regretted being unable to play in the UAAP where he would have been part of the UST squad who took the grandslam. And he also regretted injuring his knee during which he missed the opportunity to play for the RP team under coach Lipa. But these regrets should have been erased from Bong's by his memory b now because on July 11, 1996, prior to game 2 of the Agfa-Stag series, Bong Marata completed his redemption as he was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the PBL All-Filipino Cup as voted by the members of the media and his peers. The 5'11" playmaker of Super Power Battery accumulated a total of 1,906 points and took home his first ever MVP plum in four years in the PBL. "Ang sarap ng feeling" was what that 24 year-old point guard had to say upon receiving the award. "Ginawa ko lang ang lahat na sinabi ni coach Francis Rodriguez para sa team. Bonus na lang ng award na ito." The Super Power Batteries however, took third place in the PBL All Filipino Conference after defeating Burger Machine 86-82 last July 10, 1996.