TYPICAL of Robert Jaworski, the iconic and acknowledged father of Ginebra wants the new generation of the franchise to live up to the never-say-die spirit the team has long been known for, saying the paying public is now wise enough to see if the players are giving their best or not.
“They (fans) all want the animo, ayaw nila ng puro arte na lang,” said the basketball legend during his surprise visit at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to watch and support the Kings during Game Six of the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against San Mig Coffee Mixers.
The appearance of the cage great responsible for making Ginebra the most popular team ever in the PBA, came at the perfect time just as the Kings are fighting for dear life in the best-of-seven showdown.
Jaworski, who later visited the Kings in their dugout to give a pep talk, said basketball fans now are all appreciative of the game that they know if a team is playing according to its potential.
“Basta bigay mo `yung para sa publiko in the right sense, it’s okay. Let’s face it, you can’t cheat the public. If you’re doing the right thing as a group, still it will go to what you call consistency,” he added.
And for a franchise to win a championship the way he did with Ginebra in the mid-80s and 90s when he was its playing-coach, Jaworski stressed that each player and even the coaching staff, have roles to play within the team.
“You must understand para sa akin, ang basketball parang laro ng buhay yan eh, may storya,” he said.
“Unang-una mayroon kayong responsbilidad eh. You have the point guard, the shooting guard, the power forward, the shooting forward, the center, and the staff. Each one should put it all together and the public perceives it as a drama. Ang power forward mo kung puro power failure, tapos and point guard mo point lang ng point, they (fans) can see that.”
Although his heart is obviously with Ginebra, Jaworski generalized his thoughts about the game, saying the team that wants it more will definitely win it.
“I think the team that wants it more ... It will always come from the heart eh. Kung sino nagsasama-sama at bibigay puso nila will win,” said the former senator, who turns 68 on March 8.
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