Why former PBA enforcer Billy Mamaril traded his jersey for nurse scrubs

'It’s like winning a championship, but a bit better'
Dec 26, 2022
Billy Mamaril, SMB, nurse
Former PBA enforcer Billy Mamaril trades his jersey for scrubs.
PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño | Billy Mamaril personal photo

IT’S now common to see pro athletes, including basketball players, admirably prepare for life after their careers, mostly through running traditional businesses.

Billy Mamaril went into a different, yet equally commendable path, preparing for his future by going back to the past.

The former PBA enforcer shared on SPIN Zoom In his reason behind going back to school and taking up nursing.

He envisioned his career path long before his teenage years.

How enforcer Billy Mamaril ended up as a nurse

“As early as 10 years old, alam ko na na magpe-PBA ako,” the 42-year-old son of former pro Romy Mamaril beamed.

“When the time came to decide kung mag-aaral o maglalaro, sabi ko sa mama ko, ‘Ma, maglalaro na ako ngayon, kasi pag 40 years old na ako, pwede akong bumalik sa eskuwelahan at kaya kong mag-aral. Pero pag 40 na ako, hindi ko na kayang tumalon at tumakbo.””

Born in Bocaue, Bulacan and raised in California, Mamaril played for Bakersfield community college then went on to become the sixth overall pick in the 2003 PBA Draft. He nurtured a rewarding 17-year pro career that saw him lean initially on his 6-foot-6 frame and athleticism before settling into a dependable backup big man as a member of five champion teams.

“Puro basketball talaga ako. But as you get older, there’s a need to learn,” Mamaril thought. “We’re looking for things to do. Gusto natin matuto. Kasi ang ginagawa ko after practice at workout, nagvi-video game lang ako. Tapos sabi ko parang sayang naman yung oras ko. Let me go back to school. Yun yung reason din kung bakit ako bumalik sa pag-aaral, para more productive yung oras ko.”

“And around 2015, nag-iisip na ako nun kasi ramdam mo na rin eh,” he added. “Mararamdaman mo na rin and you have to be ready. Preparation talaga is the best thing to tackle the future.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

“Target ko mga 15 years lang eh. Napasobra ng konti. That’s a good problem to have,” Mamaril continued with a smile as he last played for San Miguel in the 2020 bubble.

But Mamaril, who studied at Bakersfield with an associate degree in liberal arts, veered away from the traditional path after basketball.

“Pag patapos na career mo, sabi nila kailangan mo ng business daw, kailangan mo mag-venture into something. Eh I don’t know anything about business. I don’t know anything about farming,” he admitted.

“I was fortunate na had I ventured into a business tapos the pandemic happened, I’m pretty sure yung business na yun, kung ano man yun, wala na yun ngayon, kasi alam mo naman yung economy ngayong pandemic pa. So I just decided I will bet on myself. I would go back to school and would become a nurse.”

Billy Mamaril nursing

CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Watch Now

Mamaril initially thought of becoming a dietician, but eventually followed in the footsteps of his mother, who is also a nurse.

“I grew up around the hospital…Being a nurse offers me different opportunities - yung mag-nurse sa eskuwelahan, mag-nurse ka sa corporate nurse, mag-nurse ka sa ospital, mag-private duty nurse ka.”

MORE FROM SPIN
MORE FROM SPIN

    An Antipolo resident, Mamaril saw nearby Our Lady of Fatima Antipolo convenient as he found a connection though former San Beda Red Lion and the school’s current varsity coach in Ralph Rivera, who assisted him in inquiring at the College of Nursing.

    After submitting his transcript of records, Mamaril was surprised to hear that he could start in just a few days.

    “Ang bilis talaga and they were really accommodating at they were ready to help me achieve my goals, so thank you to Our Lady of Fatima Antipolo,” said Mamaril, who soon found himself juggling basketball and school during his last few years of playing.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    Finally graduating last August, Mamaril promptly reviewed for the board exams in the next three months, before seeing his name on the newest list of registered nurses.

    “When the results came out, lahat talaga kami, we were so happy, not just for ourselves, pero yung sacrifice namin for one another. It’s like winning a championship, but little bit better,” Mamaril said with a smile.

    The reviewing, though, doesn’t stop as he’s now preparing for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) – a requirement for a nursing license in US and Canada.

    Once he passes, expect him to reprise his role as a PBA enforcer – this time as a prison nurse.

    “Parang mahirap naman ma-imagine na may Billy Mamaril na nag-aalaga ng matanda, ‘di ba? Sabi nga nila. Frontline ako sa PBA, frontline pa rin ako ngayon tapos guwardiya rin,” he said with a chuckle.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

    Read Next
    Watch Now
    Sorry, no results found for
    Former PBA enforcer Billy Mamaril trades his jersey for scrubs.
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascaño | Billy Mamaril personal photo
  • POLL

    • Quiz

      Quiz Result