Making every second count

It’s not often that 6-3 forward Jerwin Gaco gets to check in for San Mig Coffee in the PBA but whenever he does, the 32-year-old former La Salle Green Archer – whose fans are called Gaconatics – makes the most of every second on the court.

Now in his fourth PBA season, Gaco said he’s just happy to be employed. “I work hard at practice and stay in shape so when I’m called to play in a game, I’m good to go,” said the Alabat, Quezon native who wasn’t picked when he applied for the PBA draft in 2005. “As long as I’ve got a contract, there’s hope to be able to play. I’m always praying for a chance. When the coach calls, I’ll be ready.”

Last Sunday, Gaco reported for work in the second quarter of the Mixers’ game against Talk ‘N’ Text in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He compiled four points on 4-of-4 free throws and four rebounds with no turnover in five quality minutes. Gaco did his part in a brief role as San Mig Coffee went on to win, 90-82. It was the Mixers’ first win of the conference after three losses and Gaco’s first appearance.

In the recent Philippine Cup, Gaco averaged 2.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 5.4 minutes in seven of the Mixers’ 21 games. Last season, he hit at a 1.3 clip in 4.9 minutes a contest, playing in only 14 of B-Meg’s 62 outings. Gaco hardly saw action in the previous Commissioner’s Cup, going scoreless in four games.

Patience has to be one of Gaco’s virtues. He plays either three or four and waits his turn behind Marc Pingris and Joe De Vance. “I got a chance to play a little in the last Governors Cup with Marcus (Blakely),” said Gaco. “It depends on the game plan. In coach Tim’s (Cone) system, you don’t have a fixed position because in the triangle, everybody is in motion to get free. I’m still mastering the system.”

Gaco said he’s surprised that there are Gaconatics cheering for him. “P. J. (Simon) and James (Yap) started it then Mico (Halili) and coach Richard (del Rosario) began calling the fans Gaconatics,” he said. “Ma’m Reena (del Mundo who handles marketing for the team) even has forms for fans to fill up so they can become Gaconatics. Of course, I’m honored to have a fans club, I never imagined it since I don’t play a lot. I enjoy talking to fans, meeting them. I hope there are more opportunities for players to get together with fans. There wouldn’t be a PBA without them.”

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Gaco said he doesn’t know what lies ahead in the future but plans to continue playing in the PBA for as long as possible. “As a pro, you never know what could happen,” he said. “Like we never expected Jonas (Villanueva) to be traded.  He was our captain and we were sad to see him go. But that’s basketball. You just stay in shape and be ready to play. So that in case you’re traded, you can step in right away.”

Gaco said even if import Denzel Bowles hasn’t played since undergoing therapy for an MCL strain in the knee last October, he’s the best import around. Bowles proved it by collecting 29 points and 23 rebounds last Sunday. As for the Mixers’ original import Matt Rogers, Gaco said he, too, is a quality player. “Rogers had a bum stomach before his first game and was too weak to play then when he got out of the hospital, he still couldn’t play like before,” said Gaco. “Now he has a chance to play for San Miguel in the ABL after (Brian) Williams got injured.”

If there’s anyone who deserves a contract in the PBA, it’s Gaco. It took him four years from being snubbed in the PBA draft to make his pro debut with Barako Coffee at 29. “I never gave up hope,” said Gaco who lost both his parents before turning 19. “I tried out for Red Bull and Purefoods but didn’t make it. I knew if I worked hard, I would someday get a chance.”

The oldest of four, Gaco was orphaned in his teens.  His father Jaime, a seaman, died of cancer at 35 in 1995 and mother Estrella succumbed to leukaemia at 36 four years later. With his parents gone, Gaco became the family breadwinner and used his basketball earnings to send his two sisters and a brother to school. Now, his sister Jeaneileen, 28, has graduated and is working with CDR-King. Another sister Jamaica, 22, has finished college while brother J. R., 24, plans to reenrol after playing for the Jose Rizal University varsity. Gaco, a single parent, also takes care of his two children Kirsten Anne, 8, and Jillian, 5. Kirsten Anne is in Grade 3 at Sacred Heart in La Loma. Jillian studies at St. Paul’s Quezon City.

Yesterday, Gaco was with his kids in an outing since there was no school and Cone called off practice as the Mixers don’t play again until Saturday in Naga City against Global Port and they surely deserved a day’s rest after beating the Texters the night before.

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A rugged rebounder and defender, Gaco suited up for Polytechnic University then transferred to La Salle where his teammates included Mac-Mac Cardona, Joseph Yeo and Rico Maierhofer. He played on one La Salle UAAP title team and was a fixture on Mikee Romero’s seven championship squads in the PBL.  Before jumping to the PBA, Gaco also saw action for the Philippine Patriots in the ABL and Laguna in Liga Pilipinas. He played wherever he could to put food on the table for his sisters, brother and two children.

In his first overseas trip in 1999, Gaco played on a PBL juniors select team that captured the Nike Invitational 18-and-under crown in Taipei. Among his teammates were Yap, Paul Artadi, Eric Arejola, Janon Bunyi, Rey Mendoza, Ronnie Zagala and Kim Gandarosa. Coach was Jorge Gallent whose assistants were Luigi Trillo and Monch Gavieres. In the title game, Gaco had 15 points and seven rebounds as the Philippines beat Whomoon High School of Seoul, 70-61. At that time, Gaco said his favorite PBA team was Purefoods and his idol was Alvin Patrimonio. Who would’ve thought then that now, 14 years later, Gaco is playing for San Mig Coffee, formerly Purefoods, with Patrimonio as team manager.

“It would’ve been special if my parents were still alive and saw me in the PBA but I know they’re watching over me,” said Gaco. “It’s been a long journey. I’ll keep working as hard as I can to continue playing in the PBA.”