Never Say Die - Barangay Ginebra Reveals 40th Anniversary Jersey Collection

Three words that describe the passion of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans to one of the most famous basketball teams in the PBA. This is, of course, mirroring the team that lives and breathes the words, Never-Say-Die.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel basketball games and its championship finals have earned die-hard fans for four decades. Win or lose, these fans have shown commitment to the team, and has chanted "Gi-neb-ra!" at one point in their games. Filling up the stadium and even drawing SRO crowds in the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the world's largest indoor arena. Indeed no other fandom has shown such devotion to a basketball team.

When did the NSD start? (Never-Say-Die) If you were already chanting "Gi-neb-ra!" in 1985, this was the time when Ginebra San Miguel’s Never-Say-Die spirit was born. Only 6 years from when the team was formed, Robert Jaworksi, Sr. played a very huge role in this historical moment. "Jawo" as his fans call him was hit by a wayward elbow in the second quarter, the Big J had to leave the game to go to the hospital. To everyone's shock, he returned to the third quarter with seven stitches on his lip. The Gins were behind by 15 points going into the final seven minutes of the game when Jaworski re-entered the court and led the team to victory, sparking a frenzy that to date, is unmatched. And that was the beginning of Ginebra's Never-Say-Die mantra.

Here's a video of the highlight during that game. You can start at the 18:00 minute mark.

After the Big J era, his Never-Say-Die legacy still lives on year after year. “The Fast and The Furious” duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand showed resilience and determination when they fought hard to end the team’s seven-year drought in the 2004-2005 season to win the PBA Fiesta Conference. Moreover, they turned this victory into a back-to-back win as they also claimed victory in the following conference – Philippine Cup Conference.

Helterbrand has already retired but believes that the team’s NSD spirit is alive in the current players, like Scottie Thompson who is making history and recorded his third triple double and bagged the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP. 

Another current player giving his all in every match is Justin Brownlee. His buzzer-beating three-pointer clinched the 2016 Governor’s Cup for the Gin Kings, their first after eight years. The game exemplified the NSD spirit with the team coming back from a 15-point deficit at half time. Brownlee returned the following season and helped Barangay Ginebra defend the Governor’s Cup, this time in front a new PBA record crowd attendance of 54,068 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The event is also in celebration of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's 40th Anniversary. Launching the 2019 Never Say Die Jersey Collection featuring the Living Legend and father of Never-Say-Die spirit, Robert Jaworski, Sr. (7); the unforgettable “The Fast and the Furious” duo, Jayjay Helterbrand (13) and Mark Caguioa (47), fast-rising basketball superstar Scottie Thompson (6), and the most beloved PBA import who has won the hearts of Pinoy basketball fans Justin Brownlee (32). These limited edition jerseys will be worn by the team in the upcoming 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

So what makes the 2019 Jersey Collection special? “This is the first time in the 40-year history of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel that ‘Never-Say-Die’ is featured in the team jersey. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has become synonymous to the never-say-die spirit that has been the mantra not only of the Gin Kings but also of every kabarangay. Our tribute to never-say-die, which began with coach Robert ‘Sonny’ Jaworski, Sr., is also a tribute to the team’s legions of fans who have not only embraced and loved the team but also embodied the never-say-die attitude,” says Ginebra San Miguel Brand Manager Paolo Tupaz

To avail of the jerseys, just buy any GSMI product. Every six (6) seals of Ginebra San Miguel or any five (5) caps of GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Primera Light Brandy and Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, entitles customers to purchase one jersey for only P100 at your favorite supermarket or convenience store outlets nationwide. Fans can get the Ginebra San Miguel 2019 Jersey Collection until June 30, 2019.

For more details and updates on the promo, log on to www.ginebra.com.ph, check out the official Facebook page of Ginebra San Miguel www.facebook.com/barangayginebra or call the GSMI customer care hotline at 632-2564.