Basketball | July 3, 2016 7:05 PM HKT
Blackwater forward Gilbert Bulawan dies after collapsing during practice
Blackwater forward Gilbert Bulawan collapsed and suffered a massive cardiac arrest during the Elite’s Sunday afternoon practice at the SG Stadium in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.
He was eventually pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City,
The Elite’s team owner Dioceldo Sy said doctors tried to revive the 6-foot-4 Bulawan, but to no avail.
“Bad news, Bulawan nag-collapse sa ensayo. Dead on arrival dito sa Capitol,” Sy told Fox Sports on Sunday.
The amiable Blackwater owner said initially, they thought the backup forward was joking when he collapsed at the arms of his teammate Reil Cervantes during the afternoon practice.
But they were surprised when Bulawan was unconscious as his teammates tried to help him up.
“Makulit pa siya bago mag-start ng practice, yung typical na Gilbert Bulawan na kilala namin,” added Sy.
Sy said he already notified Bulawan’s wife Marie, a dentist, about the unfortunate incident.
Bulawan, who would have turned 30 next month, is coming off an impressive stint with the Elite last month, serving as the team’s defensive anchor in the 2-year-old PBA franchise’s five-game sweep of the 2016 Penang Chief Minister Cup in Malaysia.
Selected 17th overall in the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft, Bulawan owned averages of 2.54 points, 1.92 rebounds and 0.3 assist in 52 professional career games, having played previously for the Meralco Bolts and the Barako Bull Energy. — By Richard Dy
