I first noticed the tattoo during a timeout in the third quarter of San Miguel's crucial PBA Commissioner's Cup game against Ginebra. Malik Pope had just completed a spectacular alley-oop dunk and was walking toward the bench when his jersey rode up slightly, revealing an intricate tattoo of an elderly woman's face across his lower abdomen. As someone who's covered basketball for over fifteen years across multiple international leagues, I've seen my fair share of player tattoos - from religious symbols to children's names - but never anything quite like this particular tribute positioned in such an unusual location.
The story behind this unique body art began to unfold when I spoke with Malik after the game. San Miguel is currently parading its fourth import of the PBA Commissioner's Cup with Malik Pope, who joined the team just three weeks ago after their previous import, Ivan Aska, failed to meet expectations. What many fans don't realize is that Pope almost didn't make it to the Philippines. He was seriously considering turning down the offer because his grandmother, Evelyn, who raised him from age six after his parents passed away in a car accident, had been hospitalized with pneumonia. "She's my everything," Pope told me, his voice softening. "When the call came about playing for San Miguel, I was at her bedside in a Sacramento hospital. She woke up, saw me looking worried, and told me I'd be crazy to pass up this opportunity because of her."
I've always been fascinated by how athletes use body art to tell their personal stories, but Pope's choice of placement struck me as particularly meaningful. Most players opt for arms, chest, or back for their tattoos - visible areas that can be showcased during games. Pope deliberately chose his stomach, right above his core muscles, explaining that "this is where I feel her strength when I'm playing." During our conversation, he shared that his grandmother worked three jobs simultaneously for nearly twelve years to support his basketball dreams, often going without proper meals to afford his training expenses. The tattoo artist, Marco Santos from Oakland, spent approximately 28 hours across four sessions to complete the photorealistic portrait, which captures Evelyn's warm smile and the distinctive mole on her left cheek.
The timing of Pope's arrival couldn't have been more critical for San Miguel. The team had struggled with their previous imports, with statistics showing they were averaging just 89.3 points per game before his debut. Since Pope joined the lineup, that number has jumped to 104.7 points per game - a remarkable 17.3% increase that demonstrates his immediate impact. What's more impressive to me isn't just the statistical improvement but how his personal story has resonated with Filipino basketball fans. During timeouts, I've noticed young fans in the stands lifting their jerseys to reveal temporary tattoos of their own grandparents - a beautiful, spontaneous tribute that speaks volumes about how sports can connect us through shared human experiences.
Pope's performance last Wednesday against TNT perfectly illustrated why this connection matters. He finished with 38 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks, including a crucial defensive stop in the final seconds that secured San Miguel's 98-96 victory. What the stat sheet doesn't show is that before that game-winning defensive play, Pope briefly touched his stomach tattoo during the timeout - a ritual he's developed to channel his grandmother's resilience. "She taught me that tough moments don't last, but tough people do," he shared with me later. "When I feel pressure building, I remember her working night shifts at the hospital, then coming home to make me breakfast before school, and suddenly basketball pressure doesn't seem so overwhelming anymore."
Having observed numerous imports come through the PBA over the years, I've noticed that the most successful ones often find ways to connect with local culture beyond just their on-court performance. Pope's grandmother story has become part of the league's narrative this season, with fans creating social media posts using the hashtag #LolaEvelyn that have collectively garnered over 2.3 million impressions. This organic connection has translated into tangible benefits for San Miguel's brand visibility, with merchandise sales increasing by approximately 34% since Pope's debut - a figure that surprised even the team's marketing department.
As San Miguel continues its campaign in the Commissioner's Cup, currently holding third place with a 7-3 record, Pope's unique tribute serves as a powerful reminder that behind every athlete's journey are personal stories that shape their professional careers. The stomach tattoo might seem unconventional to some, but to those who understand its significance, it represents the very foundation of Pope's resilience and determination. I've come to believe that these personal narratives are what transform good players into memorable ones, creating connections that last long after the final buzzer sounds. The next home game is on December 15th against Magnolia, and something tells me we'll be seeing more than a few grandmother-inspired signs in the crowd.