THE PBA has made the first step in its plan to return after getting the approval of the government to resume practices under foolproof health and safety protocols.
If and when the league completes its comeback to official games, expect even stricter rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
So with the PBA facing a possibility of holding games in a closed-door venue, among others measures, how will the players thrive without seeing and hearing fans?
One diehard Ginebra fan feels it’s the league’s most popular team that will miss its crowd support the most.
“Mag-e-enjoy ba sila na maglaro ng walang nanonood? Parang ang lungkot,” longtime Ginebra fan Jannette Boncay said. “Sanay sila na pag pasok pa lang, may magche-cheer na sa kanila. Hindi ko alam paano nila i-a-adapt yun.”
“Syempre kung wala ng manonood, sino na magche-cheer ng, ‘Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!’ ‘di ba? Siguro hahanapin nila yun,” she added. “Tapos pag may bumangga sa amin, walang magbo-boo. Pano yun ‘di ba?”
Some Gin Kings stars are no stranger to playing without fans. Two years ago, Gilas Pilipinas hosted Qatar in a closed-door World Cup qualifying game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. And two Ginebra representatives in Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson still played key roles in the come-from-behind victory despite playing in an empty Big Dome.
While she misses watching the games live, Boncay would prefer to watch on TV for now when the Philippine Cup resumes.
“Sa ngayon, sa sitwasyon, uunahin mo ang sarli mo syempre. I’m sure gusto rin ng mga players na safe yung fans nila,” she said.
“Pero syempre nakaka-miss. Kasi wala ka mapanood eh. Iba pa rin yung PBA. Kaya nga pag mayroong PBA Kamustahan, kahit hindi Ginebra, masarap panoorin,” she added, content with checking players’ Instagram and Tiktok accounts and watching them guest on video podcasts.
She also shows support – while staying safe – by wearing face masks with a Ginebra-themed design.

Apart from her and other fans’ safety, Boncay wishes the same on players when they resume training and eventually games in a high-contact sport.
“Hindi ko din alam kung paano yung ite-take ng players. Basketball is a physical game. I don’t know kung paano sila dedepensa o ano.”
“Pero syempre trabaho nila yun,” she was quick to add. “Tsaka knowing Tim Cone, he’s a winner. Ayaw niyang natatalo.”
When the Gin Kings do return to action, Boncay hopes they can prove they can win without super import Justin Brownlee.
“Dream ko lang makita na manalo naman ang Ginebra for All-Filipino, kasi nakuha na namin yung Commissioner’s, Governors’,” Boncay said of her team, which last won the Philippine Cup in the 2006-07 edition behind Best Player of the Conference Mark Caguioa and Finals MVP Jayjay Helterbrand.
“Pangarap ko ito sa mga panahon na ito na makita na mag-champion ulit sila sa all-Filipino, para hindi naman kami ma-bully ng ibang fans ng team na because of Brownlee lang, ‘di ba?”
It’s one wish that would certainly make Boncay happy after a stressful last few months that saw her mom diagnosed with Breast cancer and dealing with her own health issues.
“Life is short and it’s getting shorter,” Boncay said. “Whatever happens, thankful ako sa mga opportunities na dumating sa buhay ko tulad yan sa Ginebra, meeting different kinds of people and kahit may bashers na ‘di maiwasan na naiinggit na ewan.”
“Sana nga madanasan ulit natin na sa new normal ang panonood ng live. Maybe in God’s time.”
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