June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Abueva were the first names called after being selected by San Miguel and Alaska, respectively. Their fellow amateur stars didn’t wait too long as well. Other players picked in the first round included Alex Mallari, Cliff Hodge, Aldrech Ramos, Chris Ellis, Chris Tiu, and Vic Manuel. Highly touted college players like Dave Marcelo, Yousef Taha, and Emman Monfort slipped in the second round. It was a stacked draft class.
Among the 58 hopefuls was 26-year-old long-shot Stephen Siruma. One by one, he watched his contemporaries get onstage to receive a team cap and a team jacket. He waited and waited for his name to be called. He never heard it.
The year before, the PBA renewed the old unlimited round format in the draft, replacing the two-round limit that was instituted in 2005. But even with the favorable concession and the 2012 draft stretching up to five rounds, Siruma still found no takers. In all, 19 aspirants weren’t chosen.
PICKING UP THE GAME
Stephen or “Tep” as he’s called in his hometown of Meycauayan, Bulacan, began weaving his hoops story as if he was the lead character in an all-too familiar basketball flick.
“Napapanood ko ‘yung tatay ko mag-basketball nung bata pa ako tapos tinuturuan niya ko,” says Siruma. “Ako lang sa pamilya ang lumaki ng 6’2.”
He immediately felt a connection to the game akin to someone meeting his soulmate. He had a natural feel for it. He was lanky but he had terrific balance. He had good ball-handling skills. He was a good athlete too—fast and agile—unexpected from a kid with above average height. But at first, he had to display his athletic gifts elsewhere.
“Nung elementary, track and field ang sports ko. Na-discover lang ng adviser ko ‘yung bilis ng pagtakbo ko pero nagba-basketball ako nun araw-araw kahit tanghaling tapat,” Siruma tells BuhayBasket.
When his focus exclusively shifted to basketball, Siruma became the big man on campus. He led the small school of Nazarenus College to titles in interscholastic provincial tournaments and won individual accolades along the way. With a strong open court game, a decent jump shot, and laudable defense, he looked skilled enough to go to the next level.
“Naging Athlete of the Year ako sa school namin tapos champion kami sa BULPRISA (Bulacan Private Schools Association). Nung naging varsity ako nung high school, nagsimula na ako mangarap (maglaro) sa college varsity, PBL, at PBA,” says Siruma, who idolized Bal David back then.
A COSTLY TURNOVER
But despite a stellar stint in high school, things turned upside down when it was time to go to college. Coming from an unknown school, not a single major university recruited Siruma, forcing him to study in a local school without a full athletic scholarship program. He didn’t last long.
“Nag-Meycauayan College (MC) ako. Kaso ‘di na ko naka-enroll after one semester dahil sa financial problem,” says Siruma.
His quick stop at Meycauayan College would’ve been a total waste had he not met Aura Estrella. Aside from becoming his girlfriend and eventual wife, she also played a role in Siruma’s basketball career, albeit inadvertently.
“Hinihintay ko si Aura nun sa MC tapos nakita ako nung isang referee na nakilala ko nung high school. Sabi niya pumunta ko sa St. Clare Caloocan,” recalls Siruma.
Siruma followed the suggestion and got what he wanted. St. Clare gave him a full athletic scholarship. In return, he was ready to do anything for his new school on the court. Unfortunately, it included participating in a sham.
“Pagdating ko sa St. Clare, sa college ako naka-enroll pero sa high school ako pinalaro gamit pangalan ng pinsan ko. Kunwari 17 years old lang ako. Pumayag ako kasi akala ko ‘yun lang ‘yung paraan para makapag-aral ako nang libre sa college,” says Siruma.
At the beginning, it looked like his ill-advised move would pay off as then-De La Salle head coach Franz Pumaren took a genuine interest in him and even met with his family. Of course, Pumaren didn’t know Siruma was hiding something.
Allegedly, his coach at St. Clare tried to keep the charade going as long as he could solely because he wanted to cash in on dealing with the Green Archers. But as always, the truth came out. De La Salle grew suspicious and Siruma could no longer burden his conscience.
“Pinapapunta na pala ako sa practice ng La Salle nun pero hindi sinasabi sa’kin ng coach ko. Hindi rin nila (DLSU) ako napanood sa Juniors Champions League. Wala ako nun kasi baka makita ako nung mga dati kong nakalaban sa BULPRISA. Tumawag na sa’kin ‘yung La Salle management after nun at dun ko na sinabi ‘yung totoo,” says Siruma.
But repentance came too late.
“Puwede pa sana (ako sa lineup ng La Salle) kasi 19 lang ako nun. Kaso nagalit sila sa’kin kasi ‘di ko sinabi kaagad ‘yung totoo. Sayang talaga ‘yun,” regrets Siruma.
BOUNCING BACK
The setbacks were debilitating. But they also pushed Siruma to do what he should’ve done in the first place: let his talents do the lobbying for him. He returned to St. Clare to make things right. His conniving coach was already gone and was replaced by former PBA player Joel Dualan.
With his newfound fire and considerable size advantage at the guard spot, Siruma thrilled the new Saints tactician.
“Nag-try out siya nun as a point guard. Stephen was big tapos napansin ko malalaki ‘yung strides niya when he was running. Malaki siyang point guard na mabilis,” says Dualan.
Even though Siruma was a major plus for the team, Dualan felt his new playmaker could shine brighter on a bigger stage. He saw his potential and immense desire. Dualan offered Siruma to join him at Philippine Christian University (PCU), where he was an assistant coach.
“I saw na desidido talaga siya maglaro. I told him na mas malaki ang exposure niya if he’ll play in the NCAA or the UAAP,” Dualan tells BuhayBasket.
Siruma once again switched schools and followed his coach to the San Marcelino-based club. The timing was perfect too as Dualan was soon promoted to head coach, replacing Junel Baculi who resigned due to health reasons.
After going through a couple of stumbling blocks, Siruma’s decision paid dividends.
“Nung unang taon, Team B ako. Sumunod na taon, suspended ‘yung school (for fielding ineligible high school players). Nung third year ko ako nakalaro sa NCAA. Nag-Best Player ako nun tapos ‘di ko alam isasagot ko sa interview kasi kinakabahan ako dahil first time,” shares Siruma.
But as he quickly learned, fate seldom eases up on people. Just when his rejuvenated career was gaining steam, another huge obstacle arose. In Siruma’s fourth year, PCU decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from the NCAA to “police its own ranks.”
Siruma’s basketball future was left in limbo.
A SEESAW GAME
Without a scholarship, Siruma was forced to give up his education (he was studying Business Management) as monetary needs became his main priority. He tried his luck in what was then the PBA prep platform, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). He, however, didn’t make the cut, serving him another heavy blow. Not opting to give up, he turned to commercial leagues for income.
“Naglaro na lang ako sa mga province bilang import. Naglaro ako sa La Union, P4,000 per game. Sa Cagayan Valley, P5000 per game. Sa Nueva Ecija, P2,500. Tapos sa Cagayan de Oro, P10,000 a week, pati sa Bohol,” says Siruma.
Although he was getting paid, he wasn’t where he wanted to be. He waited patiently for the right time to try again. In 2011, it looked like Siruma would be able to break his “losing streak.”He landed a gig in the newly formed PBA Developmental League, the successor of the PBL. But just when he thought it was a sweet success, a bitter aftertaste followed.
“Nung nalaman ko na may PBA D-League, nag-tryout ako sa Pharex at nakuha naman ako. Sobrang saya dahil nagbunga ‘yung mga pinagpaguran ko. Kaso nabalian ako ng braso sa tune-up game,” says Siruma.
But with his PBA ambitions closer to him than it’s ever been, the resilient Siruma wasn’t about to let a broken arm stop him. A year later, spent mostly to recuperate, he managed to crack the D-League anew as Boracay Rum hired his services. Suiting up for the Waves in full capacity, he used his length and an all-out hustle to leave his mark as one of the better defenders in the league.
WINNING TIME
With a fairly successful stint in the D-League, he decided to join the 2012 PBA Draft. Although it was once again an empty trip, his outlook on the whole process remained positive.
“Gusto ko lang talaga makalaro ng PBA kaya hanggang may chance pa, tinutuloy ko. Wala naman mawawala, subok lang nang subok,” says Siruma.
Normally, an aspiring pro player who’s been rejected numerous times would’ve just quit and looked for a regular day job. For some, if not delusion, depression may even set in. But Siruma’s determination trumps the disappointments he has experienced. He continued to hustle and played for Boracay Rum until May of 2014.
His resolve and love for basketball has enabled him to lead a life without much regret. Today, 29 years old and a father to a six-year-old daughter, Siruma is providing for his family by playing in the Cambodian Basketball League as a member of the Extra Joss Fighters. At peace with what he’s achieved, he isn’t bothered one bit by the notion that his PBA dream is now a far-fetched reality.
“Kahit ‘di ako nakapag-PBA, basketball pa rin naman ang nakakatulong sa’kin at sa pamilya ko kaya happy pa rin,” says Siruma. “Basta mahal mo ‘yung ginagawa mo at para sa pamilya mo, may magandang way si God para sa’yo.”
On the court and beyond it, Siruma’s resilience stands out. But for him, his remarkable ability to get up after every hard fall is simply about his passion, motivation, and faith. His name may not have been called in the PBA Draft three years ago, but he sure knows his true calling.