After nine seasons and six teams, JayR Reyes says first PBA title well worth the wait

FINALLY.

After nine years and six different teams, journeyman JayR Reyes has not only reached the Finals but won a PBA championship for the very first time.

Reyes has played for Rain or Shine, Air21, Alaska, Meralco and Ginebra before joining San Miguel, which acquired the 6-7 big man in a February trade also involving Dorian Pena and Justin Chua.

That proved to be the luckiest turn in the career of Reyes, who finally reached the winner's circle when the Beermen swept the Aces 4-0 in a best-of-seven Finals series.

“Syempre masaya kasi nine years na ako sa PBA first time ko mag-Finals,” the San Miguel big man shared to Spin.ph.

On Friday night, Reyes admired the scene as the Beermen celebrated before more than 14,000 fans at the Big Dome while his two kids played with the balloons that rained down from the catwalk.

“Dream ko talaga mag-champion kasi para sa kids ko,” he revealed. “Kasi before kapag may championship, pag nakikita ng kids ko ‘yung balloons na babagsak gustung-gusto nila maglaro doon.”

His kids’ little joy is priceless.

“Sila ang motivation ko na mag-Finals at mag-champion,” he said.