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Billy Ray Bates (photo from Philstar.com)
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The rags-to-riches feel good story fans immediately embraced was over almost as instantly as it started. From being hailed as "The Legend" by NBA scribes like Brent Musberger for torching the best in the NBA coming from nowhere, Bates was sent packing and took his career overseas in hopes to continue doing the one thing he knew he could do well.
Basketball was all Bates had. It was the one good thing he had going that helped him validate his existence.
And by fate, Bates landed on the Philippine shores in 1983 as an import in the PBA's reinforced conference for the Crispa Redmanizers.
Just as he did in Portland, Bates became an instant hit in the basketball crazy nation. Unlike the NBA though, his new home was more forgiving and almost enabling of his vices. As long as he scored 50 points per game, fans could care less what he did outside the court. In a macho-driven society, his drinking and womanizing ways which quickly became topic of sports tabloids was nothing new. If he struggled in a game however and failed to catapult his team to victory, then Bates had issues.
Bates was employed to play basketball and as long as he did his job well and won, his baggages didn't bother anyone. If anything several of those who mentored him like Jaworski and then Crispa coach Tommy Manotoc tried to find ways to communicate and help the troubled Bates. "No. 1 favorite person is Robert Jaworski who did everything in his power to try to make me stay clean and sober but I was very young and immature. As soon as I get to the Philippines, I want to thank Mr. Jaworski for all his kindness and understanding towards me. He was someone who truly cared about me,” Bates was quoted in an article by Joaquin Henson of PhilStar.com last year.
Listen to what Manotoc had to say about Bates:
His way would however catch up to him. And after four glorious seasons that included championships and being named as the best import of the PBA 4 times, in 1988, his final season in the PBA, Ginebra sent him packing after a decline in his performances which yielded an 0-4 start for the team.
"And so, because he had already broken his sobriety pact and was no longer Superman, the best import in PBA history was sent packing after four games. On one of his last nights in Manila, in a final delusional moment, Bates called the manager of another team and asked to replace their import. It was 2 a.m. and he was calling from a place called Faces disco. The team manager, who had been asleep, simply hung up." (source: Deadspin.com)
After his career in the Philippines, Bates struggled to keep his career afloat and journeyed further overseas playing in countries like Switzerland, Mexico and Uruguay. Bates had put in a lot of miles and abuse in his body from all the wars he played in the PBA while sustaining his lavish lifestyle and vices. The Black Superman came into terms with his mortality and took a downward spiral.
"In 1998, back in the States, the inevitable finally occurred. Bates, soused on vodka, robbed a New Jersey Texaco station at knifepoint and slashed an attendant's ear. When he was arrested, police found that he had netted $7 in the heist, which earned him five years in prison. This had to be one of the world's all-time telegraphed passes; it was the rock bottom Bates had been approaching for 15 years. His life in ruins, he fulfilled his tragic destiny." (source: Deadspin.com)
Last report on Bates was on a more positive note. In March of last year, the then 52 year-old Bates was out of prison and cleaning up his life through drug and alcohol rehab. He had even planned to visit the Philippines in hopes to be involved with the basketball program in the country. Surely most people, like me, remember him solely for his on court brilliance. But something tells me, regardless if Bates calls the Philippines his second home, that another stint in the country is what he truly needs. Last time I checked the Philippines still offer the same temptations which served as his 'kryptonite' in his Black Superman days.
Regardless, Bates' contributions to Philippine basketball will never be forgotten. And his tale of a good natured but troubled individual appeals and reflects the very people that have embraced him as their own. As far as myself, the discovery of Billy Ray Bates' personal turmoil only enhanced my fascination over one of my childhood idols. I will remember him forever as 'The Black Superman' that led my Ginebra teams to championships and dazzled Filipino fans like no other player I've ever seen before. Bates' story is an interesting saga of a talented yet troubled black man during different times growing up in America. He found a refuge in the arms of the Philippines through basketball. But just like any temporary escape, he had to eventually come face-to-face with his demons. He may not be a Filipino, but to those who witnessed and marveled at his exploits, Bates will always be 'family'.
You already know this won't end here. Next order of business for me is to seek out Bates for an interview (if you have any leads on the guy, feel free to shoot me an e-mail). Bates may have never fulfilled his true potential playing in the NBA, but he will forever go down in Philippine basketball history as one of the all-time greats.
Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at hoodartz@yahoo.com.
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Check out my newest series: The Endless Essay: The Philippines' love affair with basketball (Click on this link to read)Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at hoodartz@yahoo.com.
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Comments
A very good article kabayan. Crispa redmanizers is one of the best in the pBA during that time. Who can forget Bates,Soriano,Atoy Co,Philip Cesar,Hubalde etc....more power to you.
Rollie-Toronto
Billy Ray Bates...aka The Black Superman
He's one of the best import of the PBA or probably the best of all foreign import landed in the PBA. Hoping that you will get an interview with him.
TREVSKII from QATAR
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