ON the day the PBA announced that it will be holding two games in Bahrain in December, there was a familiar face in the Bahraini delegation on VIP row at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that once played in the venue.
His name is Bader Malabes, who played for La Salle in the UAAP from 2007 to 2009. The Fil-Bahraini is now playing for the Bahrain national team and plays professional ball as the team captain of Al-Muharraq SC.
Malabes is in town for a vacation with their domestic league in the offseason. Though he is already based in Bahrain, Malabes said he still visits the country often as his wife is a Filipina.
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“I’m playing in Bahrain right now in the professional league,” said Malabes. “Right now, it’s the offseason, just won the championship. And I’m here for a vacation.”
“My wife is from here, from Iloilo, so we spend our vacation during the summer in the Philippines,” said Malabes.
By winning the league crown, Malabes was able to play in the recent West Asia Super League organized by FIBA.
Malabes said he remains in contact with his former La Salle teammates, grateful for his time with the Green Archers under head coach Franz Pumaren, who is now a Quezon City representative.
“I’m in contact with my old teammates, especially my batchmates – PJ Barua, James Mangahas, Marco (Batricevic),” said Malabes.
“Of course my championship. 2007,” Malabes said when asked about the highlight of his time at La Salle. “That’s unforgettable and especially winning it, winning the UAAP after the suspension year. So it’s unforgettable.”
Now 38 and having played in Bahrain for many years, Malabes is proud of the significant strides that their national team has been making and the improvement of the level of play in their country.
“Bahrain basketball is developing. We have good young players. They performed well in the Jones Cup. I think the future is bright for Bahrain basketball,” said Malabes.
READ PBA to hold first ever official games in Bahrain in December
Incidentally, Malabes’ father Abdulla is an officer of the Bahrain Basketball Association, whose president Alaa Mudara was instrumental in bringing the PBA to their country.
Bader looks forward to the PBA visiting Bahrain, which he said is an opportunity for Filipino migrant workers and even the locals to get a taste of the Philippine basketball of basketball.
“When my dad broke the news, we were excited that we’ll see PBA games. Filipinos are lucky to have PBA games there. So we’ll see Filipino fans from Bahrain, from East Saudi Arabia. They’ll be there watching the games,” said Bader.
Bader admitted he initially had plans of playing in the PBA when he was still in the Philippines.
“Of course,” said Malabes, when asked on whether he wanted to play in the PBA during his younger days. “I think any Filipino, half Filipino, his dream is to play in PBA. But I think I settled quickly in Bahrain after La Salle.”
Needless to say, the Philippines has a special place in Malabes' heart.
“It’s unforgettable, my time in the Philippines,” Malabes added. “I learned a lot, especially under coach Franz Pumaren. What I learned, I carried it with me to Bahrain."
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