By Jerome Lagunzad
Former Barangay Ginebra star Jayjay Helterbrand is walking away from the sport for good that he even turned down an enticing offer of multi-titled tactician Tim Cone to become the newest member of the Gin Kings coaching staff.
But that doesn’t mean Barangay Ginebra, a little over a month removed from a successful title defense of its PBA Governors Cup defend, will be in shambles after the 2009 league MVP winner called it quits following a decorated 17-year career.
“The team’s in good hands. Coach Tim said he’s here to win championships and there’ll be few more,” said Helterbrand, 41, firing up the sizeable crowd that joined Barangay Ginebra’s Thanksgiving Party on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.
A former Kentucky State standout who formed the famous “Fast and the Furious” tandem alongside fellow Fil-Am guard Mark Caguioa, Helterbrand will go out on top after clinching his sixth overall crown with the pro league’s most popular team which made him a direct hire back in the 2000 PBA Rookie Draft.
“Definitely. It’s more special since it’s my last one as a player. You get a little bit teary eyed about it and kind of malungkot,” he added, trying to fight back his tears. “But every player’s going to go through this in their career. I’m just happy I was able to end my career with a championship and it makes it that much more special.”
Back with an intact roster for the pro league’s 43rd season that gets going this month, Ginebra remains a genuine force to be reckoned with behind the presence of towering frontline Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar aside from veterans LA Tenorio, Sol Mercado and Caguioa, according to Helterbrand.
Young guns Scottie Thompson, Kevin Ferrer, Aljon Mariano and comebacking forward Art dela Cruz are all expected to make their presence felt, giving the Gin Kings enough firepower to contend with the perennial contenders.
But Heltrebrand admitted that the Gin Kings’ solid “Sixth Man” will continue to spell a difference most especially in critical matches.
“All these people who support us each and every game, they really make it worthwhile for us to do our best,” he said, drawing a big round of applause from the appreciative crowd. “They give us inspiration to go out there and give our all. You guys are the reason why we’re here. We wouldn’t be here without you.”
For now, Helterbrand said he’s bent on making up for lost time with his personal family, putting Cone’s immediate plea at the backburner.
“Coach Tim and the Ginebra management offered me a coaching assistant spot on the team already, but I kindly declined it for now, because I really want to spend more time with my family,” he said.
“But in the future…I don’t know when, but if it’s still available and if they’re still going to allow me, I’d definitely want to come back.”
For sure, the whole Ka-Barangays do want Helterbrand back.
