01/07/2025
🔥🏀 Top 10 Best Ginebra Players – The Jaworski Era Edition 🔥🏀
Ito ang mga manlalarong hindi lang naglaro para sa Ginebra, isinabuhay nila ang "Never Say Die" kasama si Coach/Player Robert “Sonny” Jaworski. Sa bawat pasa, bawat bugbugan sa shaded lane, at bawat sigaw ng crowd, sila ang mga tunay na haligi ng Barangay noong panahon ni Big J.
1. Robert Jaworski & Francis Arnaiz – The Kings Who Built The Kingdom
Hindi puwedeng paghiwalayin. Si Big J ang utak at lakas ng Ginebra. Siya ang player-coach na nagbigay ng direksyon at tapang sa team. Pero ang galing ng lider ay mas tumitibay kapag may katuwang sa ex*****on. At doon pumapasok si Francis Arnaiz, ang “Mr. Clutch.” Eleganteng scorer. Precise. Laging handa sa endgame. Kung kailangan ng puntos sa crucial moment, siya ang hahanapin. Ang tandem nila ni Big J, parang puso’t isipan — kumpleto, palaban, buo. Hindi mabubuo ang NSD kung wala ang tandem na ‘to.
📌 Highlight: Arnaiz’s late-game daggers complemented Big J’s emotional fire during their championship climb in ‘86.
2. Chito Loyzaga – The Wall of Defense
He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t loud. But he made his presence felt with every stop, every rebound, every hard screen. Siya ang tahimik na poste sa ilalim — the kind of player who lets his game speak volumes.
📌 Highlight: Known for silencing the best scorers of the '80s. A defender’s defender.
3. Marlou Aquino – The Elegant Tower.
Kasabay ng huling bahagi ng Big J era, pero agad naging haligi sa ilalim. May height, may touch, may class. Sentro na may galaw ng small forward — halos imposible bantayan.
📌 Highlight: 1996 Rookie of the Year. Game-changer.
4. Dondon Ampalayo – The Magic of the Paint
Kung may artistry sa post moves, siya ‘yun. A big man who danced inside the paint. Creative, unpredictable, and beloved by fans. Every shot he made had a touch of flair and fearlessness.
📌 Highlight: 1986 Rookie of the Year. Instant crowd favorite.
5. Joey Loyzaga – The Pretty Face with Killer Instinct
Don’t let the charm fool you. Joey wasn’t just Ginebra’s poster boy. Behind that mestizo appeal was a fierce fighter who played with fire in his eyes and steel in his gut. He had the speed, the touch, and the guts to take the shot when it mattered most.
📌 Highlight: His clutch threes and calm presence helped Ginebra survive countless close games in the late '80s especially Ginebra's first All-Filipino Conference championship in 1988.
6. Leo Isaac – Ginebra’s Glue Guy.
Role player with big impact. May hustle, may instincts, at marunong magbigay-daan sa opensa. Isa sa mga taong di mo agad mapapansin, pero ‘pag nawala — ramdam mo agad. Marunong bumasa ng opensa, mahusay sa rotation, at laging handa sa dirty work.
📌 Highlight: Key contributor sa Ginebra’s 1988 and 1991 title runs.
7. Rudy Distrito – The Destroyer. The Enforcer. The Wild Card.
Walang inuurungan. May halong gulo, tapang, at puso. Isa sa mga pinaka-polarizing pero pinaka-memorable na Ginebra players ever. Siya ang tagapagtanggol, tagasugod, at minsan, tagaligtas.
📌 Highlight: That fearless, iconic game-winning layup in the 1991 Finals vs Shell. Legendary NSD moment.
8. Bal David – Mr. Last Shot.
Laging huli pero laging tama. Mula UST hanggang Ginebra, dala niya ang puso ng tunay na underdog. Kahit kakasimula pa lang ng legacy niya noong time ni Big J, ramdam na ang tibay niya.
📌 Highlight: Cold-blooded buzzer-beaters. Symbol of 90s NSD grit.
9. Noli Locsin – Undersized, Overpowered.
Hindi mo siya matatawaran. Isa siya sa mga pinaka-laban-kung-laban na player ni Jaworski. Sinalo niya lahat — literal. Mas maliit sa kalaban, pero mas malaki ang puso.
📌 Highlight: Outmuscled imports and local bigs. Hustle king ng Barangay.
10. Vince Hizon – The Charmer with a Dagger Shot.
One of the few Ginebra players na may rockstar appeal. May outside shooting, may swag, at may leadership. Isa siya sa mga naging mukha ng team sa final years ni Jaworski.
📌 Highlight: Key player in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup championship run, Ginebra's first title since 1991.
