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His Good Fortune
Story and pictures by Patricia Bermudez-Hizon
(November 19, 2008)

Many new faces are being paraded by the Bacchus Energy drink team in this new PBL season. In fact only four players are holdovers from Coach Lawrence Chongson’s squad from last conference. The rebuilding of the franchise has led them to pick up a Filipino-American multi-talented big man by the name of Khalif Fortune in the 5th round, the 36th overall choice.

Raised in Seattle, Washington, Khalif, whose name means leader, is a self-professed trailblazer – “someone who sets his own path and is never a follower”. He was into several sports growing up, he played soccer, he was on the swim team in Junior high, and was a wide receiver for the Woodenville High School Falcons Football team.

His talent in American football got him a spot in the Saddleback College team in Mission Viejo, Orange County, California, but he ended up transferring to Arizona State to finish his degree in Business and Communication. He tried and failed as a walk-on for the college’s basketball team, but that only gave him the drive to work on his hardcourt skills.

Khalif joined intramural clubs and played in a Filipino basketball league in Arizona. This is where he got connected to John Imperio, who encouraged him to come here last June to study his options of playing in the PBL. His grandmother Martha Barreto, whom he calls Nanay gifted him with a ticket to go overseas for the first time after graduating last May. He took this as an opportunity not just to learn about the amateur league, but to also to meet the family in Batanggas City, and to immerse himself in the culture of his ancestors.

Khalif immediately felt at home especially because he was taught a lot about Filipino traditions and phrases by his Nanay. When asked what is Filipino about him, he stated that being hospitable, being able to enjoy life despite the hardships, and his determination are proudly his Pinoy traits.

His mother Kathleen is a professor at Edmunds Community College, teaching English as a Second Language, and his father Russ, who is African-American of Creole decent, is an independent marketing consultant. K is just as versatile as his dad who played basketball, football, and was into track and field.

His older sister Alicia Jung, who was a cheerleader for the Chaminade University of Honolulu, remains the biggest influence in his life. She’s based in Phoenix and is expecting her first child soon with her husband Wayne. “She set me in my path and is always a positive influence. She’s worldly and she taught me to not have tunnel vision” explained Khalif.

Astute at 22 years of age, Khalif knows that he needs to keep a positive outlook in this trial to be a basketball player. “I never limit myself. I always go out and get things, and set my own path. I take chances as there are a lot of rewards from taking risks”. His father taught him that the world is his oyster; he has to go out and get it. And so he left his creature comforts in the US, and has called the Bacchus team quarters in Manila home.

“Living in the gym gives me the option to work out constantly, and it keeps my mind off home. Home sickness comes in spurts but I’m focused on this season” said the 6’4, 210 pound forward. He admires Kobe Bryant whose work ethics he truly respects. “He works harder than anyone else and it shows. He puts in the extra sets, the extra reps, the extra sweat to be the best”. And so living in the gym gives him the luxury of putting in the extra work.

“Versatility is the name of my game. I’m not limited to low post or wing. I try to help the team by rebounding, controlling the boards, and dunking. Anything to excite my teammates and give them an energy boost”. Khalif admitted though that he’s still in the process of transition as he’s still getting used to the intensity and the physicality of the game here. Something he got a first taste of during their pre-season game against 5 time champs, Harbor Center, who won that tough battle by 9.

He assessed that there were things he could have done better, he could have controlled the boards more, and he should have been more of a vocal leader especially when things got crazy. He added though that they’re still learning, but they put in a solid effort. The lessons they learned gets him even more ecstatic for the season.

Coach Lawrence is excited for Khalif who he sees as a project. “I knew he’d be trainable. He’s a willing learner, so we drafted him”. Coach lauded him for lifting weights and working on his shots every night at the gym.

“He’s like Rudy Hatfield. He’s athletic and a hard worker. He even has the same built. He came to Tanduay about the same age as Khalif and he was raw but ended up making a big impact in the PBA”. Coach said that he’s willing to invest extra time and start from the basics with Khalif who’s showing fast progress. “We build our own resources. We can’t get star players from blue chip schools like Ateneo and La Salle so we have to create our own stars”.

Coach Lawrence also talked about Ronjay Buenafe, one of the Coca Cola Tigers’ top guards, who was a benchwarmer in other teams but got polished when he joined the franchise. “How much he’s willing to learn is entirely up to him” said the Bacchus mentor. “I always tell him that he didn’t come halfway across the world just to go back”.

All the sacrifices and hard work that Khalif Fortune is putting in hopefully will pay off down the road. His own fortune is in his hands. He could be the steal of the draft.

-pbh-

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