Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guard Jayjay Helterbrand is set to retire from the PBA after an illustrious 17-year career, officially ending the era of the “The Fast and The Furious.”
Helterbrand, the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2009, yesterday bared his decision on CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk, just three days after he won his sixth title with the league’s most popular team.
“I’ve had a great career, I have no regrets whatsoever,” said Helterbrand, who joined Ginebra in 2000 as the team’s direct hire Filipino-Foreigner – a rule the league used to implement at that time.
“I think this is the perfect time for me to hang it up, on my own terms,” added the 41-year-old Helterbrand, who also won five titles with the team, including the 2007 Philippine Cup where he won the Finals MVP.
Helterbrand initially sounded of a possible retirement in the middle of the 41st Season, but when he played a crucial role during the team’s title campaign during the 2016 Governors’ Cup, Ginebra management opted to give him another year.
During the finals of the Governors’ Cup, he played in only two games for the Kings.
Helterbrand, a two-time Best Player of the Conference (BPC) and a seven-time member of the All-Star team, finished with career averages of 8.4 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
According to Helterbrand, one of the reasons that made him decide to retire is health.
Although he has no injury at the moment, he doesn’t want to leave the game of basketball due to injuries.
The retirement of Helterbrand also likewise ended his partnership with longtime teammate Mark Caguioa, who joined the team in 2001, as they formed a deadly duo backcourt known as “The Fast” and “The Furious” among diehard supporters of Ginebra.
Pido Back at globalport
Meantime, Pido Jarencio is back as coach of GlobalPort, replacing Franz Pumaren.
Pumaren took a leave of absence to focus on his job with the Adamson Falcons.
The former UST star began his third tour of duty during last Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft.