Meralco rookie Brandon Bates, now a Philippine Cup champion with the Bolts, credits his grind and love for coffee as a huge factor in his rise to PBA playoff glory.
Who would have thought that the simple routine of making coffee could actually lead to a PBA championship?
Meralco rookie Brandon Bates, now a Philippine Cup champion with the Bolts, credits his grind and love for coffee as a huge factor in his rise to PBA playoff glory.
Grind
Before being selected by Meralco as the 8th pick of the Season 48 Draft, Bates spent his mornings working at a café, starting his day at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for the café's opening at seven in the morning.
“Right before the draft, I was working in a café,” Bates started to recall with a chat with One Sports.
“The café used to open at 7:00 a.m., but it doesn’t stop there. You have to close it down as well,” he added.
Even before stepping onto the PBA court, Bates knew the value of the grind, with his early morning coffee shifts mirroring the commitment he’d later bring to the Meralco Bolts.
Brew
When asked if coffee had an impact on his life, Bates’ answer was clear: "Absolutely. I love coffee."
Just like perfecting a cup of joe, Bates brewed up his game with Meralco in the Philippine Cup, playing a key playoff role in the Bolts’ journey to clinching their first PBA title.
“It was a simple life and a lot of fun,” Bates said, reflecting on his barista days. “I was studying to be a teacher, and now, I’m here."
[Related: Dream Chasers: Wearing his idol Larry Bird's jersey number, aspiring teacher Brandon Bates embraces career shift]
Bates transitioned from studying to become a teacher to studying gameplays, bringing the same dedication and attention to detail from his barista days to his budding PBA career.
Taste
Reflecting on Meralco’s historic victory, Bates found it surreal, like something out of a movie.
“No one can take that away from me, you know, it’s surreal.”
“This time last year, I was just usually making coffee. I was up at 4:00 a.m, finishing at 4:00 p.m., now I’m a champion,” Bates marveled.
It was a sweet victory for the Bolts, a feeling he likened to his favorite brew - bold and unforgettable.
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As for his coffee fix, Bates recommended a mocha, despite any potential backlash from purists.
“I’m gonna get a lot of hate for this, but a mocha," he chuckled.
“People say that it’s not real coffee because it’s got chocolate, but it’s got the same amount of coffee as all the other coffees. It’s just a little bit sweeter.”
[Related: Picture perfect victory: Newly crowned Meralco Bolts react to PBA championship photos]
Whether it's making coffee or chasing basketball dreams, Brandon Bates’ journey from barista to PBA champion is a testament to his love for the grind.