Happy Birthday, Roberto “Jun” Jabar ( July 4 )

Happy Birthday, Roberto “Jun” Jabar

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1992 PBA Rookie Draft 10th overall pick 
Southwestern University Cobras guard
5-season PBA veteran

ROBERTO JABAR, JR.
The first time he saw action in the PABL two years ago for Mama's Love, Roberto Jabar, Jr. got the crowd all agog because of his surname. It's actually pronounced 'habar' in the Visayas but over in Manila they started calling him 'Jabbar' with special reference to the aging star center of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was very raw then, perhaps pushed into the lion's den at an inappropriate time. He further got amateur basketball fans puzzled when he joined the slam dunk contest sponsored by Magnolia Quench Plus. He didn't fare too well and even missed both attempts and the crowd was cruel enough to jeer him. He kept that in mind and swore to come back to Manila and make up for this debacle. "Bago pa lang kasi ako noon. Kinakabahan nga ako kaya ako nagmintis," recalled Jun-Jun. Well, he went back to the Visayas to further hone up his skills. This year, he fulfilled his vow and returned to the PABL via the Crispa ballclub, coincidentally, another returnee in amateur basketball. And Jun-Jun, who turns 21 on January 4, is no longer a gangling 6-2 dribbler. After the elimination round of the Invitationals, JunJun averaged 13.25 points, 5.75 rebounds and 2 assists per game for the Redmanizers who made the semifinal round. Jun-Jun was born in Cagayan de Oro City and is the third of four kids (Jojo, Maritess, Jun, and Joel) of Roberto Jabar, Sr. and the former Zenaida Borja, both employees of Del Monte. Brother Jojo is an engineer. His sister Maritess is a physical therapy student at Southwestern University while younger brother Joel was a former Cebu Central Colleges high school dribbler. Jun-Jun started out with the Cagayan de Oro All Stars and was recruited for the CCC junior squad by Joaquin 'Jake' Roxas. From CCC, he moved over to SWU and took up. management. Aside from Mama's Love, he also played for Lhuillier Jewellers and Balls and Bar Restaurant in Cebu. During the last National Intercollegiate tournament held at Pasig, he was approached by both Arturo Valenzona and Boy Afable and was persuaded to join Crispa. Earlier, there were reports that he would play for El Rancho Beef Loaf, a guest team in the Invitationals. "Marami na rin akong natutuhan kay coach Valenzona. Mabait siya. Magaling makisama. Mababait din yung mga ex-PBA players na kasama ko sa Crispa," said Jabar referring to Bernard Fabiosa, Pongkee Alolor and Aldo Perez. "Malaki ang tulong nila sa amin dahil experienced na sila." Jun-Jun hopes to polish his shooting and defense and likewise wants to skywalk like his idol Samboy Lim. "Malaki ang kaibahan ng laro dito kaysa sa Cebu. Doon bodybody talaga. Dito scientific." But, of course, there's still room for JunJun Jabar in Manila.