Helterbrand is retiring
After 17 years, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guard Jayjay Helterbrand is signing off from the ‘Fast and the Furious’ partnership with Mark Caguioa.
Helterbrand, the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2009, yesterday bared his decision to retire on CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk, just three days after he won his sixth title with Ginebra.
“I’ve had a great career, I have no regrets whatsoever,” said Helterbrand, who became a member of Ginebra in 2000 as the team’s direct hire Fil-foreigner – a rule the league implemented 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 was named Finals MVP during their successful in the 2007 Philippine Cup.
Helterbrand initially sounded off on his retirement plan in the middle of the 41st Season but was prevailed upon to stay after playing a crucial role during the team’s title campaign in last seson’s Governors’ Cup, with Ginebra management extending his contract for one more year.
His numbers took a plunge this season, however, and he played in just two games during the finals.
A two-time Best Player of the Conference (BPC) and seven-time member of the All-Star team, Helterbrand, who said maintaining his good health and well-being as factors in his decision, has compiled career averages of 8.4 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
—WAYLON GALVEZ
The MBT South All-Stars used its height advantage to bring down their North counterparts 113-103 in the 2017 Metro Basketball Tournament (MBT) All-Star Game at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate Thursday.
Sandy Ceñal scattered 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting in 23 minutes to power the South selection to An easy victory over North in the one-game showdown organized by the Metro Manila Development (MMDA) as part of the Metro Manila Sports Fest.
Ceñal, who plays for South Division top seed Mandaluyong, was named as All-Star Most Valuable Player in the event which has Mobile App ng Bayan Barangay 143 as presentor, my|phone “Bida ang Pinoy” as official mobile phone and Spalding as official ball.
Kim Aurin, Dan Natividad, Rickson Gerero and Ronnie Mayuyo provided ample scoring support for South, which is composed of select players
Jinggoy Valmayor scored a late winner as Meralco-Manila beat Kaya-Makati, 1-0, over the weekend to remain on top of the Philippines Football League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Valmayor struck a header past Kaya goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma shortly before stoppage time, giving the Sparks a dramatic win that helped extend their lead over their Makati counterparts to four points.
Meralco improved to 51 points after 24 matches while Kaya remained at 47 points with one game to play in the eliminations.
Ceres-Negros rebounded from a tough midweek loss by clobbering JPV-Marikina, 5-0, at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. from Mandaluyong, Las Piñas, MMDA, Makati, Pateros and Taguig.
Aurin added 18 points and eight rebounds, Natividad contributed 14 points and Gerero and Mayuyo had 12 points apiece for the winners.
High-flying Kim Olmoguiz of Manila led the North All-Stars with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
In the side events, Navotas’ Jonel Parungao, delayed by traffic, went on to win the Three-Point Shootout, Valenzuela’s Josiah Esplana, son of PBA legend Gerry Esplana, won the Free Throw Shooting Contest while Quezon City’s Mikhael Justin Salazar won the Obstacle Challenge of the event which is also sponsored by Synergy 88, San Miguel Corp., World Balance and Higer Bus.
In the All-Star Day’s main event, the organizing MBT All Stars relied on PBA legends Eddie Laure and Pido Jarencio to beat LGU All Stars, 140129.
Bienvenido Maranon had two goals while Fernando Rodriguez and OJ Porteria also scored for the Busmen, who rebounded from a 2-0 defeat to Stallion-Laguna in Biñan to pull within two of Kaya for second with 45 points through 21 matches.
Over at the Cebu City Sports Center, Wesley dos Santos netted the goahead goal in the 78th minute and Global-Cebu slipped past Ilocos United, 3-2, to tighten its grip on fourth place in the standings.
Global is all but assured of securing a place in the four-team semis known as the “Finals Series” with 45 points after 24 matches.
In the other weekend contest, the Davao Aguilas and Stallion battled to a 2-2 draw at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.