ASIDE from its popular ‘Never-Say-Die’ attitude, there's one other thing that keeps Barangay Ginebra going in its more than three decades in the PBA.
Ginebra's massive number of fans continue to be the ‘sixth man’ that fuels the team's success - the latest being its Commissioner’s Cup championship run at the expense of dethroned champion San Miguel Beer.
Ginebra icon Rudy Distrito admitted the Kings have always drawn energy and motivation from its multitude of fans. Watching from ringside during the PBA Finals, the former bruiser saw it was the same for the present-day Gin Kings.
“Nanalo dahil sa suporta ng fans. Kung walang fans yan, sa tingin ko hindi ganito ang laro nila,” said the tough-playing guard from Bacolod after watching Ginebra pull off a come-from-behind 87-83 win over the Beermen in Game Five.
That has always been the case for the popular franchise even during Distrito's time playing for iconic former playing-coach Robert Jaworski, who was responsible for instilling the ‘Never-Say-Die’ Ginebra mantra.
“Wala naman (pinag-iba). Fans lang ang bumubuhay sa amin,” Distrito, 60, said as he recalled his days with the team when he had the likes of Chito Loyzaga, Dondon Ampalayo, Leo Isaac, Dante Gonzalgo, Romy Mamaril, the late Rey Cuenco, Jayvee Gayoso, and Philip Cezar, among others, for teammates.
“Sa kanila fans din, kaya same pa rin,” added Distrito. “Kaya lang siyempre, mas malakas sila ngayon, tapos may fans pa, so napaganda.”
Distrito, of course, will forever be etched in Ginebra lore as the gutsy player who buried the fade-away shot with a second remaining that clinched for the team a dramatic 104-102 win over Formula Shell in their do-or-die encounter for the 1991 First Conference championship before a jampacked crowd at the ULTRA.
The thrilling victory capped one of the biggest comebacks ever in league history as the Kings overhauled a 3-1 deficit to win the best-of-seven title series.
And so, who among the present-day Ginebra players best remind ‘The Destroyer’ of himself?
“Wala, eh. Iba naman kasi ang laro dati,” said a smiling Distrito, who wore a leather brown jacket like a retired action star. “Hindi naman puwedeng iparehas, may kanya-kanyang diskarte sila.
“At tsaka alam mo naman ako medyo hard maglaro,” added the 5-foot-11 guard, who was once banned by the league following his dangerous tackle against Jeffrey Cariaso, who was then playing for Alaska.
But at least two players in coach Tim Cone’s roster impressed him.
“Kay LA (Tenorio) pa rin, at tsaka si Japeth (Aguilar),kahit paano kasi nandun yung depensa niya at yung rebound,” he said.
Distrito, who had his share of requests for ‘selfies’ and autographs from Ginebra fans at ringside, said it was the first time he watched the PBA games - 10 years after returning from the U.S. and staying here for good.
Too bad, he didn't cross paths with his 72-year-old mentor Jaworski, who was around during Games Two and Three of the series.
“Parehong busy kasi sa trabaho,” said Distrito, who was recently named head of security of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Distrito said Ginebra will always be close to his heart.
“Siyempre suporta sa team ko,” said Distrito. “Yung buhay ko dahil sa Ginebra.”
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