Time to show that old never-say-die Ginebra spirit, says Maierhofer

by Richard Dy

IF the never-say-die spirit still lives in the modern-day Barangay Ginebra Kings, now is as good a time as any to show it.

With the Kings winless for nearly a month now, forward Rico Maierhofer hopes Ginebra can summon the big fighting spirit that had made their predecessors famous as they attempt to weather a storm in the PBA Philippine Cup.

“We’re not losing hope. We all know that Ginebra is a never-say-die team,” Maierhofer told Spin.ph shortly after the team’s practice at the Xavier gym in San Juan City.

"Parang nabagyo lang ba kami. And all we need to do is stick together as a team. And linisin yung ginawa ng bagyo."

The Gin Kings went through their usual practice on Tuesday, curiously without the hordes of fans who come to witness their regular practice sessions at the Xavier Gym.

Still, Maierhofer is thankful Ginebra's legion of fans are not losing hope as the team goes through a rough patch, losing five successive outings after opening the season with back-to-back victories.

The Gin Kings get an opportunity to snap out of the rut on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome when they take on newcomer Globalport, the same team they beat, 110-90, to open their campaign.

To get over the hump, Maierhofer said Ginebra must dust off its running game and run at every opportunity - something the Kings have not been able to do in their last five losses.

“Yung first two wins, okay kami tumatakbo kami, run and gun kami, then all of a sudden, we lost track. At nadala na namin yun hanggang fifth loss,” said the former La Salle forward, who is averaging 8.14 points and 8.71 rebounds this season.

"Hopefully, magawa namin yung nagawa namin nung first two games."

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

Hopefully...

sana nga ipakita nyo na yan as a team... GO GINEBRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!