The Ginebra Gin Kings paid tribute to the miraculous feat of 1991 Ginebra team by wearing tha replicat of their jerseys in a close 90-89 win over the Meralco Bolts on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The win, Ginebra’s 8th in 10 games, put the Kings in a tie with league-leader Star Hotshots and boosted their bid for a twice-to-win advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Guard LA Tenorio and import Justin Brownlee scored 22 points apiece in nostalgic game dedicated to the 1991
It was a nostalgic game dedicated to the Sonny Jaworski-led crew that came back from 1-3 finals deficit to win the PBA First Conference title against Shell Rimula X.
The tribute game for the 1991 Ginebra team was replete with the same excitement, the never-say-die spirit and yes, the old jersey.
But there was one thing missing in the plot—the undersized, fitting shorts that used to be trend for local PBA stars in the early 80s up to the early 90s until NBA legend Michael Jordan popularized the long ‘Jordanesque’ shorts soon after.
“Mas maganda sana kung maiikli rin ang suot nilang shorts para talaga 90s ang dating,” said Rudy Distrito, the man best remembered for his winning jumper that completed Ginebra’s 1991 comeback en route to the title. That would have added more fun and spirit to the tribute game.
Distrito, now 59 years old, vowed to watch the game and the modern Gin Kings did not disappoint.
Distrito is now living in his hometown in Bacolod City and owns a team named Distrito Destroyers in the City’s local basketball tournament.
“Dito na lang tayo simpleng pamumuhay at tumutulong sa local basketball,” Distrito said in a interview with Winning Time over DZME.