Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) — “Never Say Die” has been the mantra of Barangay Ginebra players that made them champions for several times on court, and even off court.
Despite the suspension of the 45th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Gin Kings still showed off their hustle by helping repack N95 masks for healthcare frontliners.
The 21-man team and the coaching staff gathered at the head office of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday morning to volunteer their time and effort.
Wearing face masks and gloves instead of their usual red jerseys, the superstar hoopsters loaded more than 600 boxes of the precious masks which the SMC will donate to 16 hospitals in various provinces nationwide.
They also observed physical distancing during the volunteer work, far from how tight they guard one another during practices in the hard court.
SMC Sports Director Alfrancis Chua said it’s their simple way of giving back to Filipinos, many of whom happen to be basketball fans.
“Naisip ko na ‘yung team namin na tumulong dito,” Chua told CNN Philippines. “Akala ko nga hindi niya [SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang] kami papayagan na lumabas para mag-pack ng things pero I talked to the players and everybody, kahit malalayong bahay, nag-usap-usap kami na magkita kami dito sa San Miguel ng ganitong oras para matulungan namin ‘yung mga ibang tao, para mapabilis kaagad ‘yung pagbigay ng masks.’
[Translation: I thought that our team could help. I thought he would not allow us to go out and help pack, but I discussed this with the players and everybody, even those who live far, we discussed that we meet up here in San Miguel in this exact time to help other people and to fast-track the distribution of masks.]
SMC’s COVID donations exceed P1 billion
The country’s top diversified conglomerate has already donated over P1.3 billion to frontliners and communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
Majority of donations were spent on sets of personal protective equipment and relief packages such as canned goods, meat products, and biscuits, among others.
Ang also donated from his own pocket P100 million to the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Chua said they also wanted to express their gratitude to Ang for his generosity to SMC employees and workers in the time of crisis.
Some Ginebra fans are frontliners too
Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, said a lot of Ginebra fans are also going through tough times as many of them are frontliners too.
“It feels really good to be out here, rather than just playing basketball but actually out here helping other people and contributing to the frontliners that are going through so much strife and problems,” Cone said.
He expressed elation that everyone in the team saw each other again for the first time since the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was implemented on March 15.
“I’m surprised, we’re in pretty good shape,” he gushed.
Cone, the most titled coach in PBA history, is eyeing to capture the All-Filipino crown for Ginebra this year, the 23rd year of his PBA career.
Inspiring others to help
Barangay Ginebra Team Captain LA Tenorio said that as a sports icon, it’s their responsibility to show concern for their fellow Filipinos in these trying times.
“Hindi naman namin kailangang maging pulitiko, maging artista, hindi tayo kailangang napakayaman para tumulong ‘di ba?” the ‘El Kapitan’ said. Ito ‘yung maliit na way namin as a basketball player na makatulong sa ibang nangangailangan.”
[Translation: We don’t need to become politicians, actors, or become wealthy to help others, right? This is our small way as a basketball player to help those who are in need.]
Mark “The Spark” Caguioa and Joe Devance shared Tenorio’s sentiments.
“Siguro makita lang nila na nakatutulong kami, baka sila rin, they can find some ways kung paanong makatulong sa ibang tao (Maybe if they could see us helping, maybe they could also do the same and find some ways to help others),” Caguioa said. “So that’s what we’re showing now.”
“To be honest, it’s great to be in each other’s presence,” Devance added. “It feels good to be back together and especially to help the Philippines.”
