There is something about losing your mother that is permanent and inexpressible – a wound that will never quite heal
-Susan Wiggs
Allyn Bulanadi, 19, lost his mother a week prior to the season – July 16 to be exact. The grieving 6’2 forward, an only child, missed San Sebastian’s opening weekend campaign but eventually willed his way to play out his third year with the Golden Stags.
The 19 year old Business Management student-athlete returned to San Sebastian to keep himself busy and to fulfill the dream his mother has for him.
“Nag-rerecover pa kasi ako nung early first round. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala,” he shared. “Biglaan kasi e.”
“Nanood pa siya rito nung Filoil, masigla pa naman siya nun. Tapos biglang tumawag, emergency raw, kala ko wala lang, yun pala si mama, pahinga na pala.”
After the Stags dropped eight consecutive games in the first round, San Sebastian is now peaking, stringing together two consecutive wins that included a stunning upset of San Beda. Bulanadi was the hero of the game, dropping his season-high in the contest with 16 points and, more importantly, knocking down the biggest shot in his young career with 3.8 seconds remaining to upset the heavily-favored Red Lions.
“Chamba lang siguro yun. Bahala na talaga yung shot,” the self-confessed mama’s boy said. “Paubos na rin kasi yung oras e, tapos lamang sila ng isa. Kaya yun, tinira ko na.”
“Tsaka dinedicate ko yun sa nanay ko.”
That shot, that moment was what the Davaoeño needed to help ease the pain of his aching heart. It may not fully heal the struggle that he is facing but it is a small step that will help him move on.
“Para sa kanya po ‘yun at sa buong team,” he reflected.
“Tinulungan niya po ako.”
