Happy Birthday, Filomeno “Fil” Gulfin ( May 29 )

Happy Birthday, Filomeno “Fil” Gulfin

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1979 PBA Direct Hire by the Crispa Redmanizers 
2x PBA champion
5-season PBA veteran
Southwestern University Cobras star
Automotive enthusiast

FILOMENO GULFIN
Born May 2, 1958. 6-2, 170 lbs. Forward.
The other new face in the Crispa line-up last season. Played center-forward for Mama's Love, International Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Crispa in the amateur league. A dyed-in-the-wool Atenean (Atenco de Zamboanga) from elementary to undergrad. Transferred schools midstream in college to play three seasons for Southwestern University. Hasn't played long enough in the PBA to show what it is that made Crispa think him worthy. At 21, Fil Gulfin, Crispa's 6-2 rookie forward strikes you as one cager who is endowed with a lot of promise. He may not be as flashy and effective in his first try in the PBA ke Tuadles, Capacio, or even Gaston, but he sure has the moves that, given the right tickle, bear watching. "I'm not in a hurry. I know the starstudded team I'm with. Although sometimes I also wish I would be given more exposure. But coach knows best. I'm sure he knows what's good for me. I'm not complaining at the way coach Baby Dalupan is utilizing me," the chinky-eyed, robustbulit cager with track and field thighs and legs said. A native of Zamboanga who can speak Tagalog, Chabacano and Cebuano with equal ease, Gulfin started playing basketball at the Ateneo de Zamboanga when he was fourth year high. "I stayed for two years with the Ateneo de Zamboanga varsity team before I got to play for Southwestern University in Cebu where I became a mainstay for three years."  Before Gulfin made his debut in Manila caging via a late stint with Crispa In the MICAA, he played for Mama's Love, the number one commercial quintet in Cebu, "I have no regrets I joined the PBA this early. While others say my joining the PBA is premature, I think with the number of good players in the team, I'll be getting the big and right push in my playing which ! cannot find in the amateur. I'm even aware of the fact that I really have to pass this stage, I mean, kung mabench, parang it's part of the game." About my playing? "Well, I guess I still have to develop the confidence to really be at ease with the team and my teammates. I guess it's a process a rookie like me undergoes. The problem will be whether I can cope up with the demands of the game now that I'm In the pro and with the pros." "I would have stayed in the amateur alright and probably aspire for the national team. After careful weighing, I decided I wanted to turn pro. I thought that if I stay three years in the amateur, I'll be losing more, I have thought about this, and I don't feel sorry. I think I made the right decision." And why Crispa In the PBA? "Modesty, I had two offers from PBA teams before I took a bite on the Crispa offer. The decision wasn't really that hard. Who doesn't want to be a mamber of a champion team," the Crispa rookle asked.