Gilbert Bulawan
Gilbert Bulawan (August 25, 1986 – July 3, 2016) was a Filipino professional basketball player who played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for Meralco Bolts, Barako Bull Energy Cola, and Blackwater Elite from 2011 to 2016. He was born in Legazpi, Albay, and played college basketball for San Sebastian College – Recoletos, helping the Stags win the NCAA title in 2009.
Bulawan was drafted 17th overall in the 2011 PBA draft by the Alaska Aces and was soon traded to Meralco. In 2013, he moved to Barako Bull in a three-team trade. In 2014, he joined Blackwater through the expansion draft and wore jersey number 11.
He stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds, playing as a forward/center. Blackwater later retired his jersey number 11 in his honor.
On July 3, 2016, Bulawan collapsed during a team practice with Blackwater Elite in Quezon City and died at Capitol Medical Center. The autopsy found an enlarged heart; he also had a rare condition called atherosclerosis that standard tests did not detect. He was the youngest and first active PBA player to die. Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy requested a small ceremony to retire Bulawan’s jersey at the start of the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:44 (CET).