IT IS an end of an era for Barangay Ginebra.
Just several days after the Kings won their second straight Governors’ Cup championship, longtime Ginebra star and icon Jayjay Helterbrand announced his retirement yesterday after 17 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association as a Gin King.
The 2009 league Most Valuable Player formally announced his retirement in a live interview on CNN’s Sportsdesk Monday morning.
“I’ve had a great career. I have no regrets whatsoever. I think this is the perfect time for me to hang it up on my own terms,” said Helterbrand.
After Ginebra ended its eight-year title drought last season by winning its first of two successive Governors’ Cup crown, many thought that he might retire and fortunately for Ginebra fans, he stayed on for one more season.
As the Gin Kings retained their title, Helterbrand called it a career for himself and ended it with a bang with a sixth overall championship.
Helterbrand and longtime backcourt Mark Caguioa have been the faces of the franchise for almost two decades as they’ve rejuvenated Ginebra and delivered multiple titles along the way.
Now, ‘The Fast and the Furious’ will no longer be whole with Helterbrand on his way out.
Prior to Helterbrand’s announcement, Ginebra spitfire Scottie Thompson admitted that he felt his veteran teammate is bound for retirement.
Helterbrand had a colorful PBA career, having won six championships, a league MVP in 2009, a finals MVP in 2007, two Best Player of the Conference awards and seven All-Star selections.
He is also one of the 40 greatest players in the PBA.