On the Roll

Kurt Bachmann, Jr. rings a bell in the history of the Philippine basketball. His father was a German assigned to the Philippines, who married one of the Spanish ancestries staying in the vicinity of San Luis and San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila. The mother was a Streegan, who had a brother who played for the junior basketball team of Letran in the NCAA before the World War II. Henry Streegan, who always had a handkerchief tied around his neck, opened the eyes of Kurt to basketball. Henry bought Kurt to the NCAA basketball games in La Salle. Prior to that, he was playing for the football varsity. Br. Bernardine, school moderator, convinced him to play basketball because of his prolific height. He was dubbed as a “stalk of beans” like Mariano Santos of San Beda and Cesar Seguerra of Letran.
Kurt has got the chance to play in the Archdiocesan League for La Salle. Having Kurt as the team’s asset, the Green Archers won the AAL Championship. When he joined the junior basketball team of La Salle in the NCAA, the squad annexed the championship crown because of his indomitable efforts. Again, when he was promoted to the senior division, La Salle seal the victory after a long yearns for the Greenies winning the NCAA championship. Incidentally, he became the center of attraction in the senior NCAA Championship that other teams resorted to dirty tactics to stop him. He was hit on the tummy during their final game with Mapua. Kurt’s mother entered the court with an umbrella to hit Carlos Mandilag, who was suspected as the culprit. It turned out it was Charlie Badion of MIT that hit the diaphragm of Kurt, who was hurt and writhing with pain.
The incident developed into a racial discrimination when Oscar Mapua, the athletic moderator of MIT, called Kurt’s mother a white lady. Br. Virgilio was disappointed so he resented what Oscar Mapua wrote in the Board of Athletic Control of the NCAA. Coach Rogelio Lao [of the De La Salle senior team] taught Kurt the hook-shot that Alsindor was so impressed with the Philippine team while on its way to Chile, passing in the United States.
After finishing his degree in La Salle, Kurt made big bangs for Yco in the MICAA. Due to a minor argument with Coach Al Dunbar, he moved to the rival MICAA team of Ysmael.
Being a son of a German, Kurt had a problem with his citizenship. When he joined the first NCAA selection to Tokyo, the immigration questioned his citizenship because he was still a minor and had not yet chosen his citizenship. In a privilege speech in Congress, Congressman Francisco G. Nepumuceno questioned Kurt’s nationality. It was only elucidated when Kurt finally took his oath for Filipino citizenship.
In 1958, he preceded in Tokyo for the Asian Games, then in Rome (1959). But formerly, he joined the National Team to the World’s Chile Games. Thereafter, he returned to Manila to play for the ABC. From there, he joined the National Team to the 1960 Rome Olympics and 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta also.
He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame of La Salle, and later on with the National Fame of the Philippines.
Though an only son, he was not spoiled by his parents, who joined in most of the delegations abroad at their own personal expense.
Kurt had many dates with ladies, who wanted to be called his girlfriend until he met his wife whom he tied a knot with.
Assuming the highest position in Mantrade, he continues working with Nissan [Mantrade] as a Consultant.
Furthermore, he does business in sporting goods, but for delicadeza when Butch Tuazon was the Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, he avoided dealing with the PSC given that they were relatives.
He is a gentleman and was never involved in fistfights; A model son, husband and businessman, and does not deal in corrupt practices. The pioneer of the hook-shot will be remembered in the history of basketball in the Philippines and should be emulated by the youth for not playing for money, but for love of sports. The parents and the Christian brothers of La Salle were responsible for his success. Currently, he resides in Alabang, Muntinlupa and he has a weekend resort in Matabuncay.