By Jan Carlo Anolin
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, once again, gave its fans a night to remember during a victory party celebrating the Kings’ 4-1 triumph over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Monday at the Metrotent in Ortigas.
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sports director Alfrancis Chua leads a toast during Ginebra’s victory party at the Metrotent in Pasig City Monday night. (PBA Images)
More than 1,000 Gin Kings faithful flocked the venue as early as 11 a.m and some fans couldn’t hide their excitement and had to leave home at midnight to witness their favorite players.
Long-time Ginebra fan Ronald Rabanal, 50, brought his 10-year-old son Rondian to the special gathering to witness their idols Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee.
The father-and-son duo, hailing from Paranaque City, braved the metro traffic and MRT rush hour to join the celebration.
“Syempre ‘pag Ginebra fan ka, kahit sabihin mo ‘yung malayo pa ‘yung [venue], pupuntahan at pupuntahan mo kahit may trabaho,” the older Rabanal said. “Gagawa at gagawa ka ng paraan.”
Rabanal said he’s been a fan since PBA and Ginebra great Robert Jaworski rose to fame.
Ronald and Rondian Rabanal, father and son, grace the event to witness their idols Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee during Ginebra’s victory party at Metrotent in Pasig Monday night. (Carlo Anolin)
But in today’s roster, he picked the 26-year-old guard-forward Thompson as his personal favorite because of his prowess and hustle in rebounding.
“Malaking bagay si Scottie sa team dahil sa kanyang hustle sa rebound. Siya ‘yung pinakagusto ko sa pag-rebound kasi lahat ng mga malalaki [ng players] talagang kinukuhaan niya ng bola.”
Jojit Roberto Torres, 45, another Ginebra faithful, was joined by his son and daughter when the victory party ended.
Torres walked outside all smiles as he wrapped around signed Ginebra jerseys and souvenir shirts.
“Kanina umalis kami sa bahay madaling araw, gawa ng kada champion [ang Ginebra] pumupunta talaga kami,” he said. “Bonding na rin sa amin ‘to.”
Jojit Roberto Torres and his daughter show their Ginebra championship souvenir shirts after the victory party at Metrotent in Pasig City Monday night. (Carlo Anolin)
Torres, who hails from North Caloocan, believes that the Kings might be able to get the championship in the Philippine Cup if the locals continue to play the same way they did in the season-ending conference.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, meanwhile, extended their gratitude to the fans who supported the Kings throughout the season-ending conference.
From left, Japeth Aguilar, PBA Governors’ Cup Finals MVP, Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson share a good laugh during Ginebra’s victory party at the Metrotent in Pasig City Monday night. (PBA Images)
Ginebra defeated Meralco 105-93 in Game 5 last Friday.
A performance by the band Rocksteddy capped off the night while Ginebra players went down the stage to take selfies and sign autographs for their loud ‘sixth man.’
Japeth Aguilar, PBA Governors’ Cup Finals MVP, addresses the fans during Ginebra’s victory party at the Metrotent in Pasig City Monday night. (PBA Images)
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Source: Manila Bulletin
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