For a team used to riding the energy of its loyal fans during games, it felt different for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to play without a crowd in its 2020 PBA Philippine Cup debut versus NLEX, Sunday night.
But they will have to deal with that for the rest of the season, which takes place inside a bubble in Clark. Mass gatherings remain prohibited, prohibited no thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s different. There’s no crowd,” admitted Coach Tim Cone moments after the Gin Kings’ 102-02 win over the Road Warriors.
It is a strange situation for the league’s most popular team. And the 22-time champion coach admitted that it is among the challenges they must overcome while in the bubble.
“I think that’s the biggest adjustment for us right now — trying to generate enthusiasm and encouragement while the game is going. We used to have it given to us. Now we gotta generate it ourselves,” Cone said.
For the American bench tactician, that should start with the team’s leaders. They should help in keeping everyone on the team as engaged as they can be, every given night.
“It’s really about remembering that the bench itself has to be engaged, the guys who are not playing. And we’re talking about the leaders. The leaders have to do that. When Japeth [Aguilar] comes off the floor, when LA [Tenorio] comes off the floor, Stanley [Pringle] — they have to stay engaged with their teammates and make sure they’re cheering on their teammates,” he said.
Thankfully for them, though, there is long-time face of the franchise Mark Caguioa with them in the bubble. And he’s the one constantly reminding them to play their best for the millions of ka-Barangays watching at home.
“Mark Caguioa always reminds us, there are still millions of fans out there that are watching us, and we have a responsibility to them to make sure we bring our best foot forward,” Cone said.
“It really comes from the leadership. Mark Caguioa is always in our ears [saying], ‘We gotta do it for the fans!’ He’s that guy that’s always reminding us and keeping us honest.”
