Reynel Hugnatan’s shoes. Photo by Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net
Reynel Hugnatan paid tribute to his fallen buddy Gilbert Bulawan in one way he knows how—through his sneakers.
Before Meralco’s opener against Mahindra in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Hugnatan took out some tape and plastered it across his Air Jordan 9 Bright Mangoes, then scribbled “R.I.P GB 11,” the initials and jersey number of the Blackwater forward who passed away early July.
As an avid collector of sneakers, Hugnatan chose a way to pay tribute to his friend that’s also close to his heart.
“Very close kami talaga nun, parang kapatid ko na yun,” said Hugnatan of Bulawan, who died July 3 after collapsing at the end of Blackwater’s practice at SGS Gym.
“Kami yung naging close talaga nung nasa Meralco pa siya, kaya talagang nagulat ako,” said Hugnatan, who is eight years the elder to the 29-year-old Bulawan.
Hugnatan added it was Bulawan’s Blackwater teammate Mike Cortez who informed him of what happened to his friend.
“Tumawag si Mike sakin, nagulat ako, after nun pumunta akong ospital pero wala na.”