THIRDY Ravena continues to make history as he became the first Filipino to play as an import in the Middle East after signing with BC Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
READ: Thirdy Ravena to play in Europe league after signing with Dubai club
More than a decade ago, however, another Filipino almost got this distinction.
Back in 2010, Mac Baracael was approached to possibly be a reinforcement in Egypt.
The FEU gunner, then also playing for the first version of the modern national team Smart Gilas, left coaches and scouts impressed with his game in the 21st Dubai International Basketball Tournament.
So much so that a foreign club was willing to move heaven and earth to get his services.
“Ang lumapit sa akin noon, yung coach ng Egypt,” he recalled, retracing his brief encounter with Al Jazeera (Gezira) Sporting Club coach Ahmed Marri. “Nagustuhan daw nila yung laro ko that time tapos tinatanong na yung salary ko. Kahit magkano daw, dodoblehin pa nila basta mag-commit lang ako sa kanila.”
It was after Smart Gilas’ stunning 82-78 victory over the Egyptian club that Baracael was told of the godfather-like proposal, especially after pumping 24 points - including the go-ahead basket - to propel the Philippines to the semifinals.
But the Tagkawayan, Quezon native was no one-game wonder. He was actually playing exceptional all tournament long and was a consistent scorer for the Philippine team.
“He was playing great in that tournament,” remembered coach Rajko Toroman, who was handling the national team program back then. “He made strong impressions that even [Lebanon’s Al Jalaa Sporting Club coach Mensur] Bajramovic was talking greatly about him.”
Former Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala had the same recollection, noting, “Mac was undersized, but he was fit (for) his role as a four. He played so well in Rajko’s system.”
Nagpakitang-gilas, nagpatuloy sa Gilas
It really shouldn’t come as a surprise as Baracael, despite just standing at 6-foot-4, held his own against taller opposition on both ends of the floor. Combining his superb strength while also proving to be a reliable deadshot from deep, coaches were indeed gushing over him as he emerged as one of the top performers for Smart Gilas.
The offer really left him stunned, but he ultimately chose to honor his initial commitment with the SBP.
“Kasi at that time, nag-commit na ako sa Smart Gilas. So as a pro, 'di ako pwedeng mag-commit sa iba. 'Di naman ako pwedeng basta-basta makuha ng ibang team kasi naka-commit ako sa Gilas,” he said.
“Ang sinabi ko sa kanila that time, ang kausapin nila, yung Gilas [management] kasi hindi ako maka-commit. 'Pag committed ka, hindi basta-basta yan. Parang kasal yan na 'di mo pwedeng balewalain.”
Eala, on the other hand, only had a vague recollection of the incident, but remembers that talks truly did not progress.
“Tinanong lang nila kami if our players were under contract. Wala namang naging usapan on whether they will get him. It’s more of just an inquiry about our players and we said they’re exclusive with the national team,” said the esteemed broadcaster and ex-Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman.
Smart Gilas finished third in the aforementioned tournament with Baracael leading the Filipinos to a 107-98 victory over Al Jalaa, erupting for 26 points in the battle for bronze.
Looking back, Baracael said that the interest that the Egyptian club had in him was a testament to the quality of the Filipino players even then.
“Blessed lang kasi siyempre Pilipino tayo, tapos nagustuhan tayo ng club sa ibang bansa,” he said.
“Nung naglalaro kami sa Gilas, parang ang layo ng place ng Pilipinas sa basketball ng mundo, na parang kulelat yung pinanggalingan natin. Pero masaya ako na naging part ako nung grupo na yun na nakatulong sa pag-improve ng level ng basketball natin.”
What could've been
Now 39, Baracael wouldn’t deny there’s a part of him that feels regret for not dealing with that prospect more seriously - or just even making sure to keep tabs with those coaches.
“Yung mga ganoong opportunity, bihira lang. Ang regret ko lang, pinabayaan ko at 'di ko pinush through kasi sayang din yun para din sa future,” he admitted. “Ikaw ba naman ang sabihan na dodoblehin yung salary mo, na may chance na pwede mong ma-increase yung salary that time, talagang mapapaisip ka.”
He furthered: “Kung tinake ko yun at naging successful, history yun kasi ako yung magiging kauna-unahan na makakalaro sa ganoong liga.”
Baracael went on to play in the PBA where he was taken sixth by Alaska in the 2011 Draft and suited up for seven teams in seven seasons, last seeing action for Meralco in 2018. He has since taken his talents to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and currently plays for the Pangasinan Heatwaves.
On the other hand, Al Jazeera still did well despite failing to sign Baracael. The club won the 2011 Egyptian Basketball Super League and remains one of the most decorated teams in the local Arab scene.
Seeing more and more kababayans take their act abroad, Baracael could only smile seeing how much the world has learned to appreciate the skill level of Filipino basketball players.
“Ngayon, makikita mo na mas pina-prioritize na talaga ng mga Pinoy yung offers sa ibang country dahil bukod sa opportunity na itaas yung level of basketball, malaki rin yung salary na nakukuha nila at the same time. And deserve talaga ng players natin kasi magagaling talaga yung mga bata at kita mo na nag-excel sila sa international at nadadala nila sa Gilas,” he said.
“Feeling ko, malapit na magkaroon ng NBA player na Pilipino kasi yung level ng mga bata ngayon na naglalaro sa ibang bansa is mataas na, na-adapt nila yung level ng competition sa ibang bansa.”
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