Barangay Ginebra released a new jersey collection to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its PBA Franchise on the ninth day of May, 2019. According to Ginebra, the jerseys are meant to be worn by the team for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.
The jersey collection was released in a special event held at Novotel on Thursday, May 9. Barangay Ginebra’s current stars Mark Caguioa, Scottie Thompson, and Justin Brownlee and veterans Robert Jaworski Sr. and Jay-Jay Helterbrand were the ones to sport the jerseys dubbed as “Never Say Die” designs.
The reason why the jerseys were dubbed as “Never Say Die” is because incorporated into the design is the same exact phrase, along with motifs reminiscent of the group’s four-decade reign, sporting the iconic Barangay Ginebra colors of red, white, yellow and black.
“Never Say Die” is the phrase that is most associated with Ginebra, as it is their mantra and iconic catchphrase said every time they are in a game. However, during the 40 years that Ginebra has been active in the scene, this is the first time that the said catchphrase is featured on a jersey design.
In fact, Ginebra San Miguel brand manager Paul Tupaz said, “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.” He also stated that, “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 barangay.”
The Gin Kings that are featured on the jerseys are Living Legend and father of “Never Say Die” spirit Robert Jaworski sporting the jersey number 7, the unforgettable, the “fast and the furious” duo Mark Caguioa, number 47 and Jayjay Helterbrand, number 13, rising basketball star Scottie Thompson with number 6 and the most beloved PBA import superstar who won the hearts of every Pinoy basketball fan at heart, Justin Brownlee with number 2.
The “Never Say Die” spirit was first born way back in 1985, when Robert Jaworski Sr. was hit by a wayward elbow and sent to the ER. He returned on the 3rd quarter of the game to the disbelief of everyone and re-entered the game by the 4th quarter to lead the victory to a 99-96 winning after being behind by 15 points in the last quarter.
The Never Say Die spirit stayed with Ginebra, even after Jaworski no longer played with the team and became iconic with them.
Exercise your spirit as a fan by grabbing your own “Never Say Die” limited edition jersey by collecting six seals of Ginebra or a collection of five caps of GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Primera Light Brandy, and Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin.
Show your collection of seals or caps to you favorite local supermarket or convenience store outlet and avail the limited edition jerseys for an additional of 100 pesos.
You have until the last day of June (June 30) to redeem your limited edition Never Say Die jerseys.
