JESSICA Abuan lives far from many of the PBA game venues, on the outskirts of Quezon City called Fairview. But that does not stop her from taking the long trek from her house to Araneta Coliseum to watch when San Miguel Beer plays.
If the game is at Ynares Gym in Pasig, or Philsports Arena or in truly far away Mall of Asia Arena, she is there to root for her favorite team, the Beermen.
Most times, she is not disappointed. San Miguel is the PBA's winningest team which at last count has 29 championships. According to Abuan, she saw or witnessed San Miguel winning 20 of those championships.
An SMB fan for three decades
Abuan, 52, said she has been following the Beermen saga for nearly three decades, since 1993, or when she was still a teenager.
At first, she watched from the bleachers, as part of a San Miguel fan club. With other members of the club, they would descend at every venue to cheer for the team. They were so ubiquitous, and also, perhaps, very loud, that the San Miguel management took notice of them.
"Nagpupunta ako para mag-cheer para makatulong na manalo sila," she told SPIN.ph on Easter Sunday. "Tuwing may laro, babiyahe ako mapa-saan man, ganon ako ka-supportive sa San Miguel," she said.
After noting their loyalty, San Miguel gave many of them a reward: free tickets for every San Miguel game.
Of course, this endeared the San Miguel team, its players, coaches, and staff to Abuan's group even more, many of whom, according to her, have more than just nodding acquaintance with the players. She said many players know them personally and even their names.
Abuan also recalled how it all began.
SMB appreciates its fans
"Since 1993, teenager pa ako, kami ang unang fan club nila, 'Exclusive San Miguel Buddies', panahon pa nila Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, nakasuporta na kami," she said. "Wala akong ibang sinuportahan, sila lang, sila lang ang pinapanood ko."
Why?
It's because, among teams in the PBA, she said San Miguel shows the most appreciation to its fans.
"Mga players, yan sila masarap suportahan kasi marunong yan magpasalamat, sila June Mar, kilala kami nila sa mukha at pangalan at personal na nagpapasalamat."
According to Abuan, one of her most cherished moments as a fan was when they were just starting the club in 1994.
Early that year, the PBA announced that the champion team would represent the Philippines in the Hiroshima Asian Games.
San Miguel beat Swift to win the championship. What was fun, she said was that Swift players and the entire staff all shaved their heads after they lost.
"Nagpakalbo sila. kasi natalo namin sila. Tuwang-tuwa kami, nag asaran kami ng fans nila," Abuena said.
Abuan, unfortunately, could not go to Hiroshima to see San Miguel play. But being a true and loyal fan, she watched their games on TV. The Philippines placed fourth.
It was her first year supporting the team, and from then on she was a forever San Miguel fan.
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