AFTER being denied twice, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings has finally achieved its 1,000th win in the league in their 110-107 win over San Miguel Beermen in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup recently.
The Kings’ franchise, which is now on its 40th year in the league, became the just the second squad in the league history to tally 1,000 victories aside from sister-team Beermen.
The Kings had a chance to take the feat as early as two weeks ago but the squad suffered lopsided defeats to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and TNT KaTropa before finally taking elusive win in their finals rematch with the Beermen.
“It just shows na ‘yung team ng Ginebra, capable din naman [na manalo ng ganun karami] like San Miguel,” said veteran guard LA Tenorio, who was with the Ginebra squad since 2012.
“I’m happy to be part of that history again,” he added. “Maraming beses na ako naging part ng history dito sa Ginebra, I’m very thankful na naging part ulit ako ng ganung milestone para sa franchise.”
The franchise started in the league in 1979 as Gilbey’s Gin before changing names to St. George Whiskies, Gilbey’s Gin Gimlets, Gilbey’s Gin Tonics, Ginebra San Miguel, Añejo Rum 65ers, Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters, Gordon’s Gin Boars and its current name Kings.
After unlocking the rare feat, the Kings will now try to keep its winning run going for a chance to retain its championship. Ginebra is currently at the middle of the standings with 3-3.
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The Lopue’s-La Salle table tennis team, headed by sports patron Leonito “Diotay” Lopue, send its rising players in the Junior Elite International Table Tennis competition this weekend in Taiwan.
The team is composed of Anton Andre Bayona, Joaquin Bragancia, Franz Jedriek Geganto, Shaun Rain Jardinico, and Andrea Bayona. Serving as head coach is Marell Lagunday-Alvarez, and assistant coach Re. Hosea Alvarez.
Joining the group from Bacolod to support their children during the tournament are Roberto Antonio Bayona and wife and Aura.
The tournament, which is being held in Taipei every year, will give the Lopue’s-La Salle table tennis players the international exposure that will further enhance their skills, Lopue said.
“It will also build their confidence as they compete against players from different countries and allow them to establish international relationship among fellow athletes,” he said./PN
