SANTA ROSA, Laguna – When Jabari Bird played for Magnolia on Friday, he became part of a rare group of imports who laced up in the rich history of the league.
Bird is actually following the footsteps of his father Carl, who suited up for Royal Tru-Orange (now San Miguel) in the 1976 season.
According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, the Birds became the third father-and-son to play in the league, after Tony Washam Sr. (Gilbey’s Gin) and Tony Washam Jr. (Derby Ace), and Francois (Tanduay, Manila Beer, Hills Bros.) and Eric Wise (Barako Bull).
The 30-year-old Jabari said he has heard stories from his father about his illustrious career in the Philippines, which he initially thought was too good to be true.
Jabari’s father was actually the first player to breach the 70-point mark when he hit 73, the highest ever back then, only for that record to be broken two weeks later when 7-Up’s Harry Rogers when he scored 75.
But after being told prior to Friday’s game about his father’s feats in the PBA, Jabari admitted he intends to speak to his father to say sorry for not believing him.
“Me and my dad, we talked about the Philippines a lot as far as one of the spots he want to play at. I didn’t know he specifically played PBA. I just knew he played in the Philippines. And he would always tell me, back in the day, I did this, I did that. I never saw film,” Bird said.
“Before the game, they told me he averaged 45 points and scored 73 points one time. Now, I’ve got to apologize because I never believed his stories. My dad, he was an excellent basketball player,” he added.
“I’ve got to call him, and I got a lot of apologies to give out to him because he has been telling me for years. He actually told me to score a hundred. The game he had 73, he told me about it. He said he was going for a hundred but he got tired."
Prior to his current stint with Magnolia, Bird played most recently for Rajawali Medan in Indonesia, but he also suited-upin Mexico.
Bird also has a two-year experience in the NBA, playing for the Boston Celtics. He also had a stint with their G League team Maine Red Claws.
In his first match, Bird had 22 points and 13 rebounds to lift Magnolia to a 121-69 victory over Rain or Shine, tying the best-of-five quarterfinal series of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at 1-1.
READ: Bird a seamless fit as Magnolia deals RoS a 52-point beatdown
Bird admitted he also wished he could have played in the PBA a lot earlier.
“I was trying to play PBA from the start the season. I just wasn’t the import, I was selected. So I went to California for training, went for the opportunity. God-willing, it happened. And I’m now here."
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