Just a few weeks ago, Abu Tratter was tapped to join Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League club team Bataan Risers. However, he “fell” under a league rule restricting Filipino-foreigners over 6-foot-4 to play in the league.
But Tratter’s listed height is 6-foot-4 – the exact limit for Fil-foreign aspirants. According to a source closely monitoring the situation, the league’s measuring tape had started at one inch for an unknown reason during that day.
Noticing this, the MPBL tried to reschedule the Filipino-American big man’s official measurement. Irked, Tratter decided to move on.
When one door closes, another one opens.
Monday, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced its roster for the 2018 Asian Games. Joining the TNT Katropa core are naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche, Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero – and Tratter himself.
Tratter, who was part of the Gilas Elite that faced off against Australia during the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, was simply grateful with the blessings that are coming his way.
“Again, it’s not only a surprise but also a blessing. It’s another opportunity for me to show my talents, especially before the draft,” the product of DLSU expressed. “I’m just going to go out there and try do what I have to do — work hard and grind through it. New teammates! Looking forward to that one too.”
But now comes the hard part.
Tratter needs to prove that he deserves to be part of the team that will compete in the continental meet. And he did not look far for an inspiration.
“It’s fun to see but it’s also a challenge since I want to bring something new to the table,” he said.
“Also, it’s really cool to participate in something bigger than me and it’s a big accomplishment for my family, all the Filipinos in my area, all the Filipinos in Siniloan [Laguna] – the place I grew up in. When I come back home, it’s something… not that I’ll brag about but something I can mention.”
For some, being part of Gilas is seen as vindication for Tratter. Tratter himself harbors no ill, sharing that this is just another opportunity for him to prove his doubters wrong.
“I wouldn’t say something that I would put on someone’s face but it’s definitely… When one thing breaks down, God gave me another opportunity to show my skills.”
