Call it hyperbole, but there’s no perfect term right now to describe the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s current run in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup other than ‘magical’.
Who would’ve thought that a 6-5 team at the end of the eliminations will make it all the way to the Big Dance?
Yet, it just happened.
One can attribute that magic to multiple reason. Maybe the coaching technique by coach Tim Cone did wonders. Maybe the other teams just went sour. Say everything, but it all boiled down to the never-say-die spirit instilled in each and every player of the Barangay.
Looking back at Ginebra’s stint early in this year’s Philippine Cup, they had even been deemed a team that would not make it deep into the playoffs. But after winning against NLEX to improve their slate to 6-5 and clinch a playoff spot, a different Barangay came through.
The playoffs then came, and Ginebra found themselves at a twice-to-beat disadvantage versus the second-seeded Alaska Aces. The odds were not in favor of the Barangay given that scenario, but they suddenly turned the tables and defied those odds.
The Barangay defeated the Aces twice, much to the chagrin of those who had wanted an early Ginebra exit from the playoffs. And as a result, they earned a slot in the next round — in the semifinals — but another daunting task was ahead of them.
Ginebra were about to face a then-streaking Star Hotshots, who were coming off a string of blowout victories. The odds, again, did not favor the Barangay, something evident in Games 1 and 2 where they were defeated, dropping to a 0-2 series deficit.
But Ginebra did not go down without a fight though. They fought back and leveled the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. The Hotshots managed to snatch Game 5 and take a 3-2 lead, but Ginebra pulled through in a must-win Game 6 to tie it up at 3-3.
Come Game 7, a sharp Barangay set foot in the court of the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Ginebra went full throttle on both ends of the floor right from the get-go to give the Hotshots a long Tuesday night. And as the final buzzer was tapped, the once-down team just found themselves on a triumphant side of an 89-76 result.
Not only did Ginebra reign victorious on that particular Tuesday night in front of 20,221 people, they also punched the second and final ticket to the 2017 Philippine Cup Finals to face a three-peat seeking San Miguel Beermen — another tall order.
Once again, the 2016 Governor’s Cup crownholders have just shown everyone that giving up is not an option. It has always been that way — with then on the losing end of things and suddenly rising back to come out as winners. This dynamic has defined the whole franchise for years now.
It’s crazy to think that for decades, Ginebra have been thriving on moments where their backs are against the wall. But, Ginebra legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, who was there to witness his team’s Game 7 victory, perfectly summed it all up as to how the Barangay does it.
“Never say die, that’s the essence of life. Never say never, because if you say never, you’re never going to move forward,” said the 70-year-old icon.
Now that the highly-touted Finals match-up between Ginebra and San Miguel looms, the Barangay are entering the best-of-seven title series as the underdogs yet again. But, who knows, an upset axe may even be yielded after a tight, heated battle.
