Bakit Barangay Ginebra?

I had to answer that question today. One Ginebra fan sent me a few questions regarding my fanaticism for Barangay Ginebra for her thesis (Go ate! Push yan!).

Bakit Barangay Ginebra?

That question is always a puzzle to me. Hindi ko kasi ma-quantify yung pagiging fan ko. The team have already become a part of my lifestyle so much that I always look things the Ginebra way.

Kahit sa mga simpleng bagay lang like kapag ang number ng raffle ticket ko ay 47, sa isip ko "Uy! Mark Caguioa!" Makakita ng plate number na may bahid ng jersey numbers, mapapangiti na ng parang ewan. Sa mga fastfood chains, pag yung nabigay na number sayo pag hinihintay yung order mo, jersey number, ang saya saya, akala mo champion na sila.

Ginebra is my simple joy, pero bittersweet. They will bring me to euphoria in victories as much as they will crush my heart to pieces in defeats. Para sa team, it's their career, but for me, it's life. Ginebra and basketball have already invaded my life in many incomparable ways. This is the only fanaticism that I have that goes way deep inside me. My love for the team and for the game also sparked my passion for sports, something that I am holding on to and nourishing until now.

Ngayon, tuma-tambling ako para sa isang Ginebra Twitter fan account at Facebook page. Online, I post every update I can gather about the team for the fans. It's easier for me kasi fan din ako kaya alam ko kung anong update ang kailangan ko tungkol sa team. Hindi na additional effort ang paghahagilap ng mga articles, updates and all na kailangang i-post kasi kinahanap ko rin naman talaga sila in the first place. Dati habit lang, ngayon di ko na matigilan. Sometimes I wonder what will happen if the day comes when I have to stop doing it. It will be hard, I'm sure, and it will hurt big time because it's always hard to stop doing what you do best. Sana I won't get to experience that pain anytime soon.

Why Barangay Ginebra? Maybe it's for that one reason that the team plays with sheer heart and unbelievable guts and that same reason will make you realize, even if seeing them pay for the first time, that this team is definitely above the rest. This Ginebra magic, I never found this in any other team. Barangay Ginebra is home for me.

Ikaw, kabarangay? Bakit Barangay Ginebra?