Barangay Ginebra celebrates 40 years of Never-Say-Die with 2019 Jersey Collection

Forty years is a lifetime, but the scores of adulation and cheers remain consistent from generation to generation. Ask any Barangay Ginebra San Miguel die-hard fan and you hear the same stories. The seemingly unrehearsed chants of “Gi-neb-ra!” rocking stadiums where the team played and seats teeming to the brim like that SRO-game held in 55,000 capacity Philippine Arena in Bulacan – no other fandom has shown such devotion to a basketball team. Where Barangay Ginebra goes, the legions of fans follow. Indeed, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has the best fans in the world.

Proof of the long-standing years of fandom are hordes of memorabilia brought to life during the 40th anniversary of GSM, Novotel QC, May 9, 2019.

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THE BIRTH OF NSD (NEVER-SAY-DIE)

The passion of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans mirrors the fervor of the players once they get on the court. After all, this is the team that has become synonymous with Never-Say-Die.

It all began in 1985.  Though the team was formed in 1979, the year 1985 went down in Philippine basketball history as the year Ginebra San Miguel’s Never-Say-Die spirit was born.  The protagonist in this historical moment is no other than Robert Jaworksi, Sr. After being hit by a wayward elbow in the second quarter, the Big J had to leave the game to go to the hospital.  To everyone’s shock, he returned in the third quarter with seven stitches on his lip.  The Gins were behind by 15 points going into the final seven minutes of the game when Jaworski re-entered the court and led the team to victory, sparking a frenzy that to date, is unmatched. This was the beginning of Ginebra’s Never-Say-Die mantra.

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GSM: Where Gin Kings become Legendary

Year after year, the spirit of Never-Say-Die lived on and flourished in each of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel players.

“The Fast and The Furious” duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand showed resilience and determination when they fought hard to end the team’s seven-year drought in the 2004-2005 season to win the PBA Fiesta Conference.  Moreover, they turned this victory into a back-to-back win as they also claimed victory in the following conference – Philippine Cup Conference.

Helterbrand has since retired but believes that the team’s NSD spirit is alive in the current players, like Scottie Thompson who is making history himself. He recorded his third triple double and bagged the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP.  He brings his best in every game, fighting for every rebound, taking the shots and giving tough defense.

Another current player giving his all in every match is Justin Brownlee. His buzzer-beating three-pointer clinched the 2016 Governor’s Cup for the Gin Kings, their first after eight years. The game exemplified the NSD spirit with the team coming back from a 15-point deficit at half time. Brownlee returned the following season and helped Barangay Ginebra defend the Governor’s Cup, this time in front a new PBA record crowd attendance of 54,068 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

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40^TH ANNIVERSARY JERSEY COLLECTION

To thank Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans for their four decades of support, Ginebra San Miguel is launching the 2019 Never Say Die Jersey Collection with 5 elegantly upbeat designs to choose from:

• Jersey No 7 : the Living Legend and father of Never-Say-Die spirit, Robert Jaworski, Sr.
• Jersey Nos 13 and 47, respectively: the unforgettable “The Fast and the Furious” duo, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa
• Jersey No 6 :the fast-rising basketball superstar Scottie Thompson
• Jersey No 32: the most beloved PBA import who has won the hearts of Pinoy basketball fans Justin Brownlee

These limited edition jerseys will be worn by the team in the upcoming 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

What makes the 2019 Jersey Collection special? This is what Ginebra San Miguel Brand Manager Paolo Tupaz has to say:

“This is the first time in the 40-year history of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel that ‘Never-Say-Die’ is featured in the team jersey. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has become synonymous to the never-say-die spirit that has been the mantra not only of the Gin Kings but also of every kabarangay. Our tribute to never-say-die, which began with coach Robert ‘Sonny’ Jaworski, Sr., is also a tribute to the team’s legions of fans who have not only embraced and loved the team but also embodied the never-say-die attitude,”

How to get your personal jersey?

1. Just buy any GSMI product and collect the seals.
2. Every six (6) seals of Ginebra San Miguel or any five (5) caps of GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Primera Light Brandy and Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, entitles customers to purchase one jersey for only P100 at your favorite supermarket or convenience store outlets nationwide.
3. The Ginebra San Miguel 2019 Jersey Collection offer is good until June 30, 2019. Hurry and get yours now!

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For more details and updates on the promo, log on to http://www.ginebra.com.ph, or check out the official Facebook page of Ginebra San Miguel www.facebook.com/barangayginebra or call the GSMI customer care hotline at 632-2564.