SECOND OVERTIME: Talisay's top prosecutor attends Game 2 of Bucks-Raptors series in Milwaukee
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 May 2019
CHICAGO --- From the very first time I met him in college, I immediately liked Marshall Rubia. Besides his massive brain power, he was friendly, and he carried himself in a way that suggested fine breeding.
During my ill-fated bid to win the political science presidency at USJR way back when, Marshall ran under my ticket. I lost miserably. He won gloriously, a testament to both his capability and likability.
In the relentless pursuit of happiness, modest wealth, and alcohol abuse, I dropped out of college after a few semesters and quickly lost track of my peers, including Marshall. Such is the cycle of life. It evolves, it changes. And it happens to all of us.
Anyway, last Friday night (Saturday morning, May 18 in Cebu) my past collided with my present, resulting in an explosion of incredible joy.
As I hurried toward my media seat for Game 2 of the Raptors @ Bucks series at the upper concourse level of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, I bumped into Michael Caballero, a Cebu Doctors educated registered nurse who know calls Greenfield, Wisconsin home.
He asked for a photo, which I obliged. Michael, who happens to be a close friend of fellow PhilBoxing.com and Spin.ph contributor Nickolai Roska, then introduced me to his brother-in-law.
It was Marshall Rubia in the flesh.
Oh. My. God.
In the 20-plus years since we last saw each other, Marshall's appearance has changed slightly.
He has caught a few harmless pounds, but the sharp handsome features had lingered, impervious to the passage of time. His hair, once jet-black, is now graying on the edges, giving him that sexy George Clooney salt and pepper look.
Marshall is currently Talisay's city prosecutor. He is here in the U.S. on vacation, taking a break from being an honest warrior for justice and a tireless punisher who will willingly take away the freedoms of those who violate the defined boundaries of law.
As I was congratulating Talisay mayor-elect Samsam Gullas, I told him of my chance encounter with Marshall. Samsam, heir to the Gullas politicial throne, said Marshall is a friend and "a very good man."
Mashall is happily married to Maria Sheila, a union blessed with two boys, Miguel and Inigo. A pediatrician, Maria Sheila is easily one of the reasons why Talisay is awash with healthy and cheerful babies.
By the way, the Bucks creamed the Raptors that night, 125-103. Giannis Antetokounmpo was, well, freakishly spectacular with 30 points and 17 rebounds. It was a performance that worth the $260 that Michael and Marshall paid for each of their four seats.
I don't know when I'll see Marshall again, but Game 5 tomorrow in Milwaukee against the visiting Raptors is a possibility, while Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus Golden State is pregnant with promise.
If last Friday's surprise rendezvous wouldn't get an encore, I will still rest my skull at night secure in the knowledge that my brief reunion with Marshall is a treasure that will forever be mine to cherish.
Photos: The author with college pal and now Talisay city prosecutor Marshall Rubia [top photo] and Michael Caballero [above] at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee where they met in an unplanned reunion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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