The Final Score: A homecoming for Denzel Bowles

Denzel Bowles emerged from the tunnel of the Mall of Asia Arena. I saw the reaction of San Mig Coffee fans sitting at courtside. As soon as they spotted Denzel, they acted as if they saw Batman up-close for the very first time. Bowles, who was about to play his first game for San Mig Coffee in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, settled into a front row seat. He wore a crimson gingham shirt, buttoned all the way up. A cherry-red Beats headphone embraced his neck. Thick, black-rimmed hipster eyeglasses partially covered his eyes. Nothing, however, could cover his most prominent accessory that day. A boy in a red shirt approached Denzel for a souvenir photo. Denzel agreed. The boy, about five or six years old, instantly jumped on Denzel’s lap. All of sudden, Bowles was Tito Denzel. It was a moment straight out of a Sunday family reunion. I saw it. Fans seated around the area saw it too. Denzel wore the unmistakable smile of a man who was happy to be home. “There were lots of fans begging me to come back. I really wanted to come back anyway,” Denzel shared. “I love playing basketball here. Fans love basketball here. They really didn’t have to force me to come back. I love Manila.” I’m certain the San Mig Coffee-side of Manila loves Denzel back. Do they love him unconditionally? What happens if he doesn’t carry San Mig Coffee all the way to the Finals? What happens if their memories of Denzel don’t match the Denzel that performs during the remainder of the tournament? Sports devotion is often fifty percent unrequited love and fifty percent a love gone wrong. “Do you any feel pressure?” I asked. “No,” he replied. It was neither a defiant nor distrustful No. Hindi defensive. It was a confident 'no.' Mukhang alam na alam niya pinapasukan niya. “I believe in Coach Tim’s system,” Denzel declared. “I love the Triangle Offense. I feel like it really benefits me. I feel that if we come together as a team, especially the new guys, we can make a run. We know what we can do in the playoffs. We just need to get there.” Denzel sounded like he has been here all along. As if Alex Mallari, Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez are the only new guys. While he is an “orig” San Mig Coffee Mixer through and through. “I told the coaching staff and everybody that there’s better competition this year,” Denzel said. “Imports this year can dominate at the post and are more physical. But I’m up for the challenge.” Another fan in a Pacquiao cap, maybe in his early twenties, approached Denzel. They posed for a photo. They both flashed winning smiles and thumbs up signs. Two hours later, Denzel tallied 12 points, 14 rebounds and 8 turnovers. His team lost by 28. Two days later, he tallied 29 points, 23 rebounds and only 1 turnover. His team won. Denzel was finally and officially back. - AMD, GMA News