Ginebra's Transition Stage

Less than a decade ago, Ginebra arguably had the most solid core among the PBA teams, bannered by three top-caliber players. One of them, Eric Menk, practically owned the territorial rights inside the shaded lane, perhaps only rivaled by Asi Taulava during that time. The other two, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa, was given the monicker "The Fast and the Furious" during the same time, and rightfully so, as their backcourt tandem would set the basketball court on fire with their unmatched skills in finishing fastbreaks.

With such a dynamic core, people were not surprised at all when the team started collecting championship trophies and on the process, two of those core members had won their respective MVP trophies while the other one was regarded as one of the most explosive scorers of his generation.

Let's return to the present. The three players are still with the team, and time transformed them noticeably. Eric Menk seems to have sold the shaded lane that was once his. He now literally spends more time sitting on the injured list than on the active roster. Jayjay Helterbrand doesn't seem like his monicker suits him anymore, as injuries in the past and age catching up with him slowed down who was once called "Mr. Fast". Mark "The Spark" Caguioa, although he is still the spark of Ginebra's offense, is not that furious anymore. With these developments, light seems to be fading away for the team's fate.

But let's enter a young player named JC Intal into the scene. A few years back, he was a virtual unknown to the PBA community as he spent most of his playing time sitting on Air21's bench, until fate decided to bring him into Ginebra's shore. With "The Fast and the Furious" not playing their explosive game anymore, Intal rose to the challenge and he singlehandedly carried Ginebra into a semifinals match with Alaska, only to be swept in four games. After that horrific experience, "The Rocket" was rarely seen leaving that launching pad like he did in that last playoff stint. Perhaps, he was looking for teammates to build a new version of Ginebra's old core. But with him being the only young player in their roster, that wish couldn't be granted.

2010 Annual Draft Pick came. Ginebra was criticized by fans and critics alike for picking three guards to add to their already guard-loaded lineup. But today, with the way things are going now for the team, the team's management proved the critics that they made the right decision.

Recently, PBA opened their 37th season with a bang. There was the opening presentation, Hall of Fame induction, and the main course: the opening game between Rain or Shine and Brgy. Ginebra. Things didn't look good for Ginebra for the most part of the game: Menk was nowhere to be found but on the injured list for the nth time, Jayjay and Mark not delivering baskets when they needed it, and the team struggled offensively overall. The game seemed to be over with Ginebra being down by double digits, until the three young players replaced the veterans on the floor during the dying minutes of the game. What the veterans, including "The Fast and the Furious", couldn't deliver, the youngsters did. Labagala hit a clutch 3-pointer, Wilson sinked critical free throws, and of course, Intal delivered the clutch baskets that Ginebra needed. They were one point away from tying the game but unfortunately for them, Intal missed the last free throw the could've sent the game to overtime.

Incredibly, people didn't seem to notice Ginebra's 1-point loss against a rookie-led Rain or Shine that much. What they did notice was the fact that the young players took full charge when the veterans doesn't seem to be fit for the job anymore. The Rocket was finally seen taking off again after a long while, Labagala and J. Wilson showed the potential as the next version of "The Fast and the Furious".

That last game might or might not be a sign that the three youngsters are now ready to take the torch from Ginebra's former "Big 3", but we are only sure of one thing: it's now time for Ginebra's transition stage. Jayjay, Mark, and Eric had their time, now's the time for JC, Rob, and J. Wilson to prove that they are the heirs to the 3 Kings' throne.

Writer: Lynyrd Andres