“NEVER SAY DIE”: Becoming an instant GINEBRA Fan

I was never a fan of Ginebra.

And I cannot understand why Mr. J is so supportive of this team since we were in high school. Personally, I’m not into basketball but I do watch some of the PBA games on TV out of boredom.

Now talking about Ginebra, they were like the only remaining original team for decades in PBA. They’ve got a lot of fans. And when I say a lot, it means they can fill-up an entire arena with a massive crowd whenever they have a game. Peculiar scene indeed, why? Because I do recognize the fact that they’re good players, but come ‘on! They are not exceptional! They always mess up in their games and I haven’t seen them show off their ‘wowing’ skills as compared to other teams.

But on Christmas day last Friday, I was enthralled by the Ginebra charm---that it left a mark on me.

AT THE LOBBY AREA of MOA arena. I don't know if he was just nervous... :)

(Disclaimer: I’m apologizing as early as now if I will commit mistakes about basketball terms and other related stuff---I’m not a pro and I’m not that familiar with the rules. But all of the things that I will deliver here are genuine experiences from a hater transformed into a fan ^_^)

Several days before the so called Manila-Classico game of Ginebra Kings and Star Hotshots, Mr. J told me that he would like to watch the clash of the two PBA teams live. Instead of watching MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) movie entries, he insisted that this one would be a perfect way to spend the Christmas day together. I gave in. Besides, I’m not pretty sure what movie to watch either.

But the problem was we don’t know where to get the tickets. He checked in the internet and there was none, I checked in a mall near us but they are not selling either. We haven’t exerted much effort in looking for tickets though, so on the 24^th we still don’t have tickets on our hands.

December 25, we went off and tried our luck. We were bound to Mall of Asia at exactly 4 o’clock. We got there around 5 pm. We went straight to MOA arena to see if tickets are still available. On the ticket booth we were surprised that the only remaining tickets are LOWER BOX B STANDING. Yes, standing! We had second thoughts for a moment but for his love of Ginebra, we bought two.

TICKETS! It was also a struggle to stand for so many hours inside the arena. But I do thank a family who let me take one of their reserved seats mid-way thru the game ^_^

I can see that he is so excited the moment that we entered the arena. Luckily, though standing, we found the perfect spot to watch the game. Global Port and Barako bulls were the first two teams who heated the court. As I watched the live game, I told myself: “yeah, there’s an awesome feeling when you watch these basketball stars live in action”.

Global Port versus Barako Bulls

And then the most-awaited game arrived.

We haven’t taken anything, I’ve eaten something before we left but it was already past 7 pm, and I still don’t mind. Then suddenly, the crowd roared with cheer! So this is it, let see why they are so captivated by the Ginebra team.

Seats were almost occupied before the start of Ginebra vs. Star game. It was even reported that more than 21,000 people watched the game, whew!

The Star Hotshots has a fair share of the crowd as well. I saw people in yellow shirts cheering for Star. And when the game begins, all were at the edge of their seats. For the first two quarters, Ginebra managed to end each with few points ahead. But as the third and fourth quarter progress, they were slowly being swallowed by the Star Hotshots. The cheer went off slowly, I guess the Ginebra fans were already thinking: “This is it, we are about to lose again”. I’m so sad for them.

We were on the fourth quarter, with only 4 minutes left and an 18-point lead of Star to Ginebra, I saw some of the fans were leaving the arena. With those vacated seats, we got the chance to go nearer the court, thanks to them! J As minutes turned into seconds, I was so amazed when Ginebra managed to come close to Star, 78-80 points with 7.6 seconds remaining. My heart ponded wildly! This is so impossible?! Then in a snap, it was a tie! 80 points for both teams, with 3.4 seconds remaining on the clock. One shot will end the game for sure.

It is so IMPOSSIBLE?! The longest 3.4 seconds of my life!

Then the moment goes in slow motion, Ginebra got the ball for the last seconds…one shoot and they will win the game. It was so close!!! But the lay-up made by Sol Mercado missed the ring. The arena thundered with frustrated cheers. We’re now going for OVERTIME.

Again, that dragging five minutes. It made my muscles become so tense, I can’t even breathe normally. There was an exchange of three points on both teams. I cheered with the Ginebra fans! We roared: GI-NE-BRA! GI-NE-BRA! over and over again, throwing our hands in the air! With a few seconds remaining, they were on the same score again. Crossed-fingers, I’m hoping for the impossible. And then a shot from Ginebra was made…straight to the basket!!! We won! I can’t even hear anything but myself screaming my lungs out! GINEBRA win the game!

We took videos and pictures, while shouting at the same time! It was like the moment when Miss Philippines won on the recently concluded Miss Universe 2015 pageant :) The grandest gift for all the Ginebra fans!

GINEBRA for the win! Victory at 3-point lead :)

During TIME-OUTS...

In between those nerve-racking seconds...

As we left the arena, the feeling of excitement and triumph stayed with us. We took our very late dinner (it was already 11 o’clock) at Yoshinoya and I can’t even ingest the food because I’m so overwhelmed by the entire experience.

As I got home, I fully understood the magic of Ginebra team. I felt the magic which lured the fans for so many years. I saw the players as humble individuals who played ordinarily but aim extraordinarily. It was their spirit who captivated the fans. It was their heart that makes every avid fan stick with them, even in times when they’re not at their best. I heard the fans sitting near me got mad so many times with the Ginebra players, even cursing them! But at the end of the day, they would still remain on the side of the most-beloved team. The Ginebra myth is for real: Never say die!

That moment, not because of the triumph alone, I become an instant fan of Ginebra. I would love to watch them playing live again! I do hope they will reach the finals of the PBA’s Philippine Cup ^_^.

 

A truly awesome experience! Cheers to all GINEBRA fans out there!

Cheering with GINEBRA fans forever,