Sydman’s Side Defect: Ginebra 30
The entire buzz around the NBA Playoffs is taking out the interest in the PBA. So what better way to stir reaction than to cash in with the PBA’s resident crowd pleasers!
(Surely this should land me some kind of fanbase, hehe!)
Since 1979, the Baranggay Ginebra Kings is undoubtedly the most popular PBA team. It is safe to say that we have followed the Gins quest for championships. Legends like Allan Caidic, Paul Alvarez, Johnny Abarrientos, and Freddie Hubalde suited for the Gins at one point of their careers. Benjie Paras tried to opt out or get traded when he was unhappy at Shell when the Gins called for his services. If you want to become a great star and have a huge fan following, then Ginebra is the best place to go.
The ballclub started in controversy. As the Toyota franchise disbanded in 1984, most of its players were “sold” to the Beerhausen franchise. Ramon Fernandez was one of those players who were included in the transfer. However, Robert Jaworski resisted and stated that they were not for sale and they were not “meat”. When Ginebra came to the picture, “Jawo” and Francis Arnaiz joined the Kings. They also brought the fans to the once talent-plagued squad.
They have produced, developed, and created a bunch of superstars whom the fans cheered until they retired or got traded to another squad. Here are the players that best described the celebrated franchise.
Before the list we should mention that Rudy Hatfield, Ronald Tubid, Rafi Reavis, and Billy Mamaril are not included for the reasons that they have yet to have a complete season with the Kings. Special mention from this list were the other players in the 80’s like Cayetano Salazar, Ed Ducut, and Mukesh Advani, 90’s players like Elmer Lago, Mike Orquillas, Ronald Magtulis, and Dodot Jaworski, and other players like Joey Marquez, Dennis Roldan, Terry Saldana, Willie Generalao, Pongkie Alolor, Bennett Palad, and Macky de Joya.
MY TOP 30 (Criteria: Popularity, Stats, and Tenure as a GIN)
30) Wilmer Ong – Long before Junthy Valenzuela, Ong was the most recognized hitman during the 90’s. He contributes with his muscle, and was one of Jaworski’s favorite bruisers in defending wide-bodied imports.
29) Benny Cheng – The former NCAA MVP found his way to the Gins via trade for Stevenson Solomon. He was the team’s starting forward, providing the hustle and the scrappy plays.
28) Sunday Salvacion – Another former NCAA MVP, Sweet Glorious Sunday transformed from a collegiate offensive powerhouse to a multi-dimensioned player. His clutch bombs have been one of his strong suits.
27) Willie Tanduyan – Little is known about this player but the former Crispa stalwart was one of Gilbey’s Gin’s first superstars. He was one of the franchise’s pioneers since its debut in 1979.
26) Rodney Santos – Another former NCAA MVP, the Slasher found himself as a Gin when he was traded alongside Andy Seigle for Jun Limpot. He quickly became part of Kings’ insanely quick backcourt rotation.
25) Manny Victorino – One of the finest centers of the PBA during the 80’s, Victorino was sent from Pepsi in exchange for draft pick Victor Pablo. He played in the team during their championship-less years.
24) Sonny Cabatu – This was his first and only stint as a top guy. Despite playing for a team that desperately needed wins, he was their main man in the paint. He had a double-digit points average while playing as a Gin.
23) Vergel Meneses –He was disgruntled in Sunkist that the Gins gave up Noli Locsin for the services of this one-time MVP. He appeared short lived when a rookie named Mark Caguioa started his climb to the top, disemboweling his minutes… especially during fourth quarters. He was traded to FedEx afterwards. .
22) Rey Cuenco – The late former first pick overall in the 1986 Draft found himself a Gin when Ginebra traded its draft pick for him (they sent to Shell Romy dela Rosa). He was an exciting scorer but injury-plagued. He was best remembered as the person who instigated the Ginebra walkout (called Anejo then, they protested a foul against Cuenco which led to the stiff 550,000 fine they got from their actions).
21) Joey Loyzaga –He was efficient as a shooter but this wide-bodied talent was also an able defender. He was also part of the Ginebra Bad Boys that shackled every offensive threat that barges in their way. He was also known as a former beau of screen goddess Gretchen Baretto.
20) Dondon Ampalayo – Called the Magic Man, the former Rookie of the Year could play inside and outside. However, his Ginebra stint was short-lived as the management feared of his effectiveness being injury prone and all. He was sent to Alaska in a forgettable trade, with the Kings getting ‘suppossedly” good Stevenson Solomon.
19) Leo Isaac – If Jawo was Magic Johnson then Isaac was their version of Byron Scott. At that time he was big for his position that on a regular basis, he creates mismatches. He was not much of a speedster but he does what it takes to claim wins. He was part of their championship in ’86.
18) Philip Cezar – The Scholar played his final years as Gin but he was not fading then. The Tapal King was still controlling the boards like a youngster. Aligning himself with the Big J was a tough act too – since they’ve possibly swung their fists at each other. However, this unlikely bond also prospered in his later years as he became the Big J’s chief assistant during their 1997 title run.
17) Mama Mamaril – Current King Billy should learn a thing or two from his father. Despite his reed-thin frame combining with his 6’6 body, “Mama” was fearless. His unwavering defense proved vital for his lengthy stay in the majors. He finished his career alongside Isaac, with their former rival, Shell.
16) Rudy Distrito – The legend of the Destroyer came into full throttle with his entry to the Ginebra franchise. Distrito fit with Jaworski’s system where physical play was never outdated and always mandatory. He was a streaky scorer, capitalizing on his unorthodox moves to confuse his opponents.
15) Romel Adducul – He was perceived as the biggest star that has never reached the PBA. That was why the fans were on high hopes when Adducul was taken by the Kings in the draft. However, despite him being an inside threat, his ability to score was non-existent. Nonetheless during his tenure, Adducul proved vital in their string of titles.
14) Jun Limpot – In a blockbuster deal, Limpot was picked up by Ginebra for Marlou Aquino. The Big Deal found a renewed passion that quickly gained them a finals seat against San Miguel (during Mark Caguioa’s rookie year). However, his Ginebra stint was marred with criticisms saying that has no heart in giving the teams he plays a title. He was traded to Purefoods, where he got his first championship despite playing limited minutes.
13) Jayvee Gayoso – He started out as an upstart playing during Ginebra’s Dark Ages. He eventually became the thrust of Ginebra’s offense with Cabatu and Jarencio before the better reinforcements arrived. Mr. Adrenalin, as he was called, did stood his ground to maintain his status in the team by drilling timely triples that would send the Ginebra population at its feet.
12) Pido Jarencio – The former Santo Tomas rifleman went to the Gins via Pop Cola during the team’s Dark Ages. All of a sudden, he became a spectacular scorer (he was Gary David then but he ventured more outside the triple arc). He did soften a bit with the arrival of the new blood but the Fireman became a stellar find that would forever mark the history of the franchise.
11) Eric Menk – With the exodus of Tanduay, Ginebra received the player known to us as Major Pain. But the team waited a year for his services because of his RP Team loan. Regardless, when he entered the team, the team finally had a dominant scoring big man which simply made this adequate team into a superior unit which stands until now.
10) Vince Hizon – The former eighth pick of the 1994 draft came to the Gins via a trade which sent Nonoy Chuatico to Purefoods. The Prince blossomed into a perimeter threat, his bulk gifted with finesse and quickness, launched the Gins during the late 90’s. Hiz-on Fire was also a girl-pleaser, a rarity back then for Ginebra where they paraded hoodlum/stuntmen-looking personnel.
9) Jayjay Helterbrand – His brief stint with the Batangas Blades was enough for him to land a seat with the most popular ballclub. Blessed with speed, Helter-skelter became the new face of Ginebra’s vaulted run and gun offense. He took time off because of contract dispute but he returned in due time to rival Jimmy Alapag as the league’s best point guard. Alongside Caguioa, they are collectively known as the Fast and the Furious and the Bandanna Brothers.
Francis Arnaiz – Mr. Clutch played like Vince Hizon. Apart from their good looks, both were outside threats with tendencies to plummet penetrations given the opportunity. For three years, Jaworski’s best friend played back-up for the Living Legend to give the league its biggest backcourt punch in its early years. He left the country in 1986 and has since lived outside the Philippines.
7) Dante Gonzalgo – While he wasn’t quick, he was the Gins third main man behind Jawo and Chito. The Bicol Express proved to be the unsung hero of the team at times when they needed a serious boost to jumpstart their winning ways. Combining hardcourt savvy with an attitude rocked by the Jawo style of play, Gonzalgo stood his ground as one of the finest players the Ginebra fanbase has ever cheered upon.
6) Noli Locsin – Short for his position, he withstand his lack of height for quickness mixed with power. As a Jaworski go-to-guy, he controlled the paint, mauled competition, and strengthened the cause of the Gins’ quest for gold. This was perhaps his strength and also his weakness, as he failed to regain his dominance after he was traded out of the Gins.
5) Chito Loyzaga – He was the original Dynamite. Son of acclaimed Hall of Famer Caloy and brother to teammate Joey, he was Jaworski’s key contributor during the 80’s. Displaying an outside touch rare for big men then, Loyzaga has the ability to play all 5 positions in effective fashion when the situation arises. He was not a real offensive threat but he displayed great defensive awareness that helped his team to rise against competition.
4) Marlou Aquino – Coined once as Ginebra’s savior. When motivated he could demolish every competition laid in front of him. The Gins of the 90’s relied heavily on the Skyscraper in bringing the team to the top. Well, he did give the Gins something to cheer about. As the Gordon’s Gin Boars, they performed a dazzling display of tricks that would eventually land them a championship. He became disgruntled though with Jaworski’s ouster and was traded to Sta. Lucia for Jun Limpot.
3) Bal David – His amazing play with PBL Grand Slam team Stag made him a talent to scour for the La Tondena franchise. He started out just a person to compliment Marlou, he then sprinted to stardom with his innate ability to make clutch baskets. His half court buzzer beater against SMB is one of the 10 best plays of the league and his other buzzer beater made Asi Taulava cry. Just like Jaworski, he left the court not really saying he retired (he just went out of the spotlight but never finalized retiring).
2) Mark Caguioa – A virtual unknown when he applied for the 2001 Draft, many were puzzled how this blond-haired baller could even make an impact. Six years later, he is regarded as Ginebra (or perhaps the league’s) heart and soul. He took the league into greater heights with his amazing array of moves inside and outside the paint. His flamboyant, charismatic, and cocky nature fits him right in the mold of the Big J. His frequent trips to the finals revitalized the fans. The PBA has benefited to his unwavering desire to pick his game up a notch. It is safe to say that he is the next Jaworski of Philippine Basketball.
1) Robert Jaworski – He was the person responsible for creating this phenomenon. Ginebra was a cellar-dwelling team then and with his arrival, not only did he take his brand of game to the team but his hordes of fans flocked and inspired every Gin cager. His on-court wizardry… and dastardly ploys is forever cemented in the PBA annals as the biggest events that could ever happen in sports. He was also a great motivator, still getting the crowd at its feet despite insurmountable odds. Because of Jawo, despite leaving the team in ’98, Ginebra is forever the league’s biggest crowd drawer.
