Davao cager Bulanadi hopes to do good at SMB

The former Gilas Pilipinas standout from Holy Child Learning Center in Davao City played his very first game for San Miguel on Sunday night in the Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center opposite Phoenix.

The son of a popular commercial cager in the local basketball scene made the transition look easy as he fired away 16 points in the team’s 114-93 demolition of Phoenix, including 3-of-7 from three-point range.

He had 13 points in the first half when the Beermen jumped off to a 33-point lead and never looked back.

But while his numbers were good, the 6-foot-2 product of San Sebastian said he’s still trying to find his way with San Miguel, which acquired him in a trade with NorthPort for Paul Zamar just before the season-ending confer- ence. “Extra motivated lang ako kasi ang daming teams na rin,” Bulanadi said.

Bulanadi was picked by Alaska at No. 4 in the 2019 special Gilas draft, but didn’t play in the league until last year’s Governors Cup.

When the Alaska franchise was sold, he was part of the roster retained by Converge FiberXers and played for the new team for two conferences, before being dealt to NorthPort as part of the Jerrick Balanza trade.

The Batang Pier proved to be just a pit stop for him as Bulanadi found himself on the move again, eventually landing a spot at San Miguel.

“Hindi ko ini-expect yun,” he said of the series of trades that happened to him at the start of the year.