Jay-Jay Helterbrand’s prayer is answered

God helps those who help themselves, as the saying goes.

And for Jay-Jay Helterbrand, help from above couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

“God answered my prayers in His time and I am very grateful,” Helterbrand said when asked about the key to the rejuvenation of his PBA career in these Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

“It took a while, man. I’ve been praying hard and playing hard. I did everything to keep strong,” added Ginebra’s 2009 MVP who admitted he was considering retirement at the start of the season.

“I really thought I was done, man. My knees were hurting. I was hurting all over. I thought He wouldn’t answer my prayers, but when He did, I am finally playing pain-free.”

Helterbrand is one of the biggest reasons why the Gin Kings are in the Finals, picking up his game in the playoffs to log 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in a 3-2 Final Four upset of Talk ‘N Text.

He is one of two veterans in the Ginebra lineup who have shone in this conference, the other being Kerby Raymundo.

The 32-year-old Raymundo attributes his second wind to personal strength coach John Aquino, who came up with a regimen that gave him sturdier hips.

After averaging just over seven points in the elimination round, Raymundo normed 14-plus in the playoffs and will surely be a factor when the Kings open their title series against Alaska today.