Like a true Petron fan and cheers to friendship

I never really watched basketball because I  did not grew up playing it. But being a son of someone who covered sporting events as part of his work, I have learned to watch and love the PBA games. Most of my relatives loved Ginebra. Instead of just loving the team for the sake being in sync with my relatives, I looked into other teams at that time. What caught my attention back then were the San Miguel Beermen, the flagship and original franchise team of the San Miguel Corporation. Coaching legend Ron Jacobs was tasked to revive a team of rich championship tradition, which is starting to age into once again a contender. The character of the team and the fiery attitude of Ron Jacobs caught my fancy. From them on, I rooted for the San Miguel Beermen. Even if the team changed names, Magnolia Beverage Masters or the current Petron Blaze Boosters, I still rooted for them. I never changed my mind and decided to cheer for another team.  Since then, it was this mother franchise I grew fond of watching.

*Trivia Break: Did you know that Marc Pingris played a season for Magnolia Beverage Masters/San Miguel Beermen (now Petron)? It was when he got traded for a center because Rommel Adducul was sidelined due to a sickness.  He won one championship with SMB. Small world. ;-) http://www.sanmiguelbrewery.com.ph/beermen%20news/beermen18.php - see third picture

Petron Blaze Boosters lost in the recently concluded 2013 Governors’ Cup Finals, 4-3. If I were a very young fan or a new fan, I would have taunted and scowled on the other team for the games I watched live or even in TV. Or blame the players whenever they lose a series. But for being a fan of this franchise for years, I learned to be a responsible fan. Never be too proud or too bitter.

The incident of taunting by certain fan clam of the Boosters is saddening. I personally think they stepped out of bounds. I have seen these guys. They are fanatics and are young. They probably got overwhelmed by their youth.  I hope the recent incident will make this guys be mature for them to be more responsible fans of Petron.

The Petron Blaze Boosters may have lost the recent Finals series versus San Mig Coffee Mixers my fellow fans. But let us look into it at a bigger picture. See it not as a loss but a picture of positivity. Why? Because Petron is finally making a move towards a positive direction after having the team undergone tumultuous coaching changes (Siot-Ato-Rajko-Olsen). 

Coach Gee Abanilla took this team into the Finals in just his first conference. How he handles team decorum during games is commendable. No arrogance versus the other team or against the players.  Coach Gee’s modest target is just to reach the playoffs in a good position because Petron went into various coaching staff changes. Petron exited early in both the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. The latter left an ugly picture of Balkman strangling Santos.

They were given much more – a runner up finish. As far as coaching is concerned, it seems they are headed to becoming a better team under Coach Gee Abanilla. Incidentally, he was the one who formed from scratch the UAAP men’s basketball champion team De La Salle Green Archers before being moved by San Miguel Corporation to Petron.

June Mar Fajardo looked far from being a dominant big man at the start of the year. But with Danny Ildefonso as mentor, he matured into a big man. A little more time of mentoring and he will eventually stop having episodes of “masyadong gigil” attitude and learn to shoot pressure-packed free throws. In case you haven’t noticed, he could have been hailed as the Finals MVP if Petron won the finals series being the most consistent player for Petron.

Marcio Lassiter played for Petron in the long haul after being in the injury list for quite a while. Given more time to train, he will be back into that Marcio of that Powerade team. Marc Isip will eventually play a big part come next conference. He just came in too late to significantly bond with the team. I continuously have supported my alma matter, FEU, even after graduating so I know this guy has good set of skills.

A true fan or supporter of Petron should not continuously lambast the team for its shortcomings as if "wala slang ginawa". They are now making a way to be back into the picture of being a contender. From an All Filipino Cup of an embattled coaching staff to a second conference of an ugly and violent import tantrum, they have battled their way back into contention not just in paper but also in reality, being the runner-up of the 2013 Governors’ Cup. So let’s look forward to more fruitful stints for the Petron Blaze Boosters/San Miguel Beermen. By way, congratulations to Asst. Coach Olsen Racela for winning! 

Post script: On a personal note, I enjoyed every moment I had with my friends for three games of the series even if they are San Mig fans. Hahaha! Well except for one who is a Ginebra fan but nevertheless enjoyed the bonding as well ;-) Bonding with friends is never less valuable compared to a championship series.  




Kudos to the true champions – friendship!!! Cherry tomato for Sheldon (pronounced Shel-den in a slang manner)!!!! Who’s Sheldon? Just a friend’s dog who plays dead after being shot by a finger gun…. Pewch!

//nallaseyer17 October 26, 2013