Gin Kings to call on virtual 6th man - fans

Barangay Ginebra is a team that has always loved to play for the crowd.

From Rudy Distrito to the Loyzagas Joey and Chito and the great Robert Jaworski, this team knows what it's like to be adored by the masses, those who want to see these cagers play their heart out - win or lose.

With a new generation of Ginebras and with the way the game is being played now overseas, it would be easy to understand why this present team would do away with the "never-say-die" spirit that is all about Ginebra.

But the spirit remains.

Faced by tall odds probably in the whole of their PBA existence, the Kings set out of the 2000 season again faced by these odds, but again vowing to give their best for all the people who have supported them through these years.

"We owe a lot to the people," said the now-retired Allan Caidic, who felt what it is like playing for a team loved practically by the entire nation. "We are not that strong on paper because we are still on the stage of rebuilding."

"But that is not an excuse. This team has a winning tradition to uphold," Caidic added. "The crowd will always be our sixth man at sa tingin ko wala ng mas malakas pang sixth man doon sa mga tao."

Gone are Distrito, the Loyzagas and Jaworski, and, most recently, Marlou Aquino after Noli Locsin.

Vergel Meneses, Jun Limpot and the tireless Bal David are now the cornerstones of this Ginebra team. Quite formidable had this been a three-on-three league, and Caidic knows that they have a lot of holes to plug in order for his team to have a long season.

Alex Crisano and Ronald Magtulis were recruited from the MBA and the Kings exercised their direct-hire privilege on a Fil-foreign player in George Manuel Guirias in order to boost their stock.

Whatever, Ginebra is expected to call on its virtual sixth man - the crowd, one factor that could indeed motivate a team.