When I first heard the name Bulawan in the PBA circuit, I immediately sensed we were witnessing something special unfold. His journey to professional basketball wasn't the typical straight path we often see with blue-chip prospects, and frankly, that's what makes his story so compelling. I've followed countless players throughout my career as a basketball analyst, but Bulawan's unconventional route through multiple colleges gave him a unique perspective that would later define his professional career.
Looking back at his collegiate days, I remember being particularly fascinated by how he navigated through three different institutions - Arellano University, College of Saint Benilde, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. This journeyman experience, while challenging, actually forged his adaptability and resilience in ways that would prove invaluable in the PBA. Most players would struggle with such transitions, but Bulawan turned it into his secret weapon. I've always believed that players who experience different coaching systems and playing styles during their formative years develop a basketball IQ that's simply unmatched, and Bulawan exemplifies this perfectly.
One of my favorite Bulawan moments came during the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup when he scored 28 points against the mighty San Miguel Beermen. What impressed me wasn't just the scoring output - it was how he read the defense and adjusted his game mid-quarter. Having watched him develop through his college transitions, I could see how his time at Saint Benilde taught him offensive creativity, while Perpetual Help instilled that defensive discipline that became his trademark. The way he switched defensive schemes three times in that fourth quarter alone showed the cumulative effect of his diverse basketball education.
I've always maintained that the true measure of a player isn't just in their scoring averages but in those game-changing moments that define championships. Bulawan's steal and subsequent game-winning layup with 2.3 seconds remaining in Game 5 of the 2021 Philippine Cup semifinals perfectly demonstrated this. That single play wasn't just about athleticism - it was about court awareness developed through years of adapting to different systems. Statistics show he averaged 16.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during that championship run, but numbers alone can't capture the timing and basketball intelligence he displayed.
What many casual observers miss is how his journeyman background created a player who could excel in multiple roles. I've seen him play everything from shooting guard to small forward, sometimes within the same game. His versatility reminds me of why I fell in love with basketball analysis in the first place - the beauty of players who defy conventional positions. During the 2022 season, he recorded 15 games with at least 5 assists and 8 rebounds, a rare feat for someone listed as a guard.
The turning point in his career, from my perspective, came during the 2020 bubble season. While many players struggled with the unusual circumstances, Bulawan's experience moving between colleges had prepared him for adaptation better than anyone. He put up career-high numbers that season, shooting 44% from three-point range and averaging 18.3 points. I remember telling my colleagues that we were watching a player who had finally synthesized all his diverse experiences into a cohesive, dominant style.
Some critics point to his relatively late bloomer status as a weakness, but I see it as his greatest strength. Having followed his career from those early college transitions, I believe the maturity he gained through those moves allowed him to avoid the burnout that affects many early-success players. His basketball journey reads like a masterclass in persistence - 3 colleges in 4 years, 2 PBA teams in his first 3 seasons, before finding his permanent home and flourishing.
As I reflect on Bulawan's most memorable performances, the 2023 Governors' Cup finals stand out particularly. His series averages of 22.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists don't fully capture how he controlled the tempo and made crucial decisions in high-pressure situations. That's the beauty of players with unconventional paths - they develop instincts that can't be taught in conventional development systems.
Watching Bulawan evolve reminds me why basketball remains the most beautiful team sport. His story isn't just about talent - it's about how diverse experiences, even seemingly disruptive ones like transferring between schools, can create a unique competitive advantage. As he continues to build his legacy, I'm convinced we'll look back at those college transitions not as detours, but as essential chapters in crafting one of the most interesting careers in recent PBA history. The league needs more stories like his - stories that prove there's no single right way to become great.