Gilas Pilipinas players are treated like rock stars by Filipino fans. Everything surrounding the national basketball team is of relevance to thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life.
Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, and June Mar Fajardo might be the headliners but there's one person that flies under the radar of fans. And he is not a member of the team.
His name is Rogelio Tulabot, the all-around utility guy for Gilas Pilipinas. But to the players, he goes by the nickname "Kuya Bong."
Tulabot at one point in his life sold lugaw (rice porridge) on the streets for a living before he made his way to the PBA. Now he's an integral part of the national team staff.
Every time and everywhere Gilas travels, Tulabot is right there with them. He doesn't see action on the basketball court, but his contributions -- which don't appear on any sheet of box scores -- are priceless.
But what does Tulabot exactly do for Gilas Pilipinas?
Kuya Bong, Gilas' all-around guy @Sports5PH pic.twitter.com/OcNQOl5UfA
— JC Ansis (@jcansis) June 27, 2018
Each morning he goes out and collects and distributes the team's laundered uniforms and clothes. He assists with anything the team needs to bring -- extra shirts, towels, ice, drinks, water -- to practices and games.
Some players ask him to help tape their ankles before practices. Another one of Tulabot's responsibilities is to load the players' bags (which are huge by the way) and the coolers onto the bus.
After practices, Tulabot gives players' brief arm or leg massages and wraps their knees and ankles in ice, before gathering all the used and worn apparel and taking them back to the laundromat.
He also makes sure the media guys who tail them wherever they go know the daily itinerary.
It's almost always the same chores and the same tasks for Kuya Bong. Wash, rinse, repeat.
"He's a one-of-a-kind person. There's nobody like him. He's extremely dedicated to his job," Aguilar said.
But the most striking fact about Tulabot, and this is something that people don't realize, is that he is a huge locker-room guy. He likes to joke around with the players and coaching staff, keeping the atmosphere light and entertaining. He gets along with everyone pretty well and players are obviously comfortable when he's around, knowing Kuya Bong is always there to keep them in check.
The mutual admiration the players have for him was evident after one of the practices they had in Taipei.
Gilas has many traditions, one of which is having a half-court shooting contest after a tough practice. It's fun and usually involves money. Whoever makes the shot wins the pot. In that particular edition of the half-court contest, it was Andray Blatche who won the cash -- roughly $100 -- after making the first attempt. Once the money was handed to Blatche, he gave it to Kuya Bong.
That is just one of the ways how players show Tulabot their gratitude, repaying him in whatever and however means they can.
The little things that Kuya Bong does are important so the players can just solely focus on preparing for the games. He is the one guy that keeps everything in order.
"He's very hardworking, and doesn't complain. His job isn't easy because he does a lot of things, plus we have a lot of activities, and he does almost everything by himself with no help at all. He cares a lot about us," said Fajardo. "He's one of the biggest reasons why Gilas is successful."