NOW is the time for Barangay Ginebra to show its never-say-die spirit.
That is the battle cry of Ginebra guard Jayjay Helterbrand ahead of what he described as a 'David versus Goliath' clash against Talk 'N Text in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
Ginebra hasn't played well the entire conference on the way to a pedestrian 3-6 (win-loss) in the eliminations and, worse, will be up against a Talk 'N Text team that has yet to drop a game.
Still, Helterbrand said the situation is no longer new to Ginebra, which, he said, never fails to thrive when its back is against the wall.
“We’ve been in this position numerous times, and I think sometimes, this is just the way we prefer to play (backs against the wall),” said Helterbrand, a big 'Lahing Ginebra' slogan stamped on his red shirt.
“This is definitely it!” added the outspoken star guard.
Helterbrand is also very much aware of the odds facing the Gin Kings. But as he himself said, now is as good a time as any to summon that 'never-say-die spirit.'
“This is a David and Goliath situation, this team that we are going to face is the best team in the league, and right now we are sub-par," he said. "And in order to get to the next level, we have to beat the best and that’s what we plan on doing."
Can Ginebra do it?
“As long as we do what we gotta do, play as a team, give the energy we’re supposed to give, have each other’s backs… we never know what’s gonna happen,” Helterbrand said.
Here's a video of the full interview with Helterbrand: