No ‘sixth man’ for Ginebra
If the PBA gets to resume play soon, it will be Barangay Ginebra that will feel the difference of playing in a new normal setting the most.
For starters, the games will likely be played behind closed doors, no “sixth man” at the arena to deliver chants of “Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!” to pump the Gin Kings up.
“Ginebra ang maaapektuhan. Hindi kami sanay (Ginebra isn’t used to playing without our fans),” Ginebra guard LA Tenorio said during the recent pilot episode of Sports Page on TV5.
He said the crowd darlings are preparing to simulate the cheers of their die-hard fans, the way it’s being done in European football leagues.
“May naka-record kami na galing sa Philippine Arena (We fave a recording of our fans’ chants during our game at the Philippine Arena),” he said in jest.
Seriously, Tenorio said they would love to play in front of the “kabarangays” but stressed the need to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
“Syempre maninibago kami. As a team, kilala ang Ginebra sa fans. Malaking factor sila sa games namin (It will take a lot getting used to as fans are a big factor in Ginebra games),” he said.
The silence in the arena, according to the Ginebra superstar, will be felt.
The veteran guard suggested some other ways for the Gin Kings and their followers to interact, like through their social media accounts.
“We’re eager to play not just because it’s for our livelihood but because of the fans na matagal na naghihintay (longing for the PBA return). But at the end of the day, it’s the safety of everyone that’s most important. So, sa FB live na lang muna,” he added.
Tenorio and some of his peers from the other squads met with commissioner Willie Marcial the other day and stood behind the PBA’s restart plans.