Kerby Raymundo (right) with player agent Danny Espiritu. Photo by Randolph Leongson
For Kerby Raymundo, who played the final game of his career with Ginebra, it still stings to this day that he was unable to deliver a championship for the barangay.
And with the crowd darlings in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Meralco, all Raymundo wants is for his former teammates Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand to win the crown before they call it a career.
“That’s the sweetest thing na mangyayari sa teammates ko kasi di natin alam kung ano ang nasa isip nila after ng championship. Baka ito na lang din ang hinihintay nila,” he said.
“Sobrang happy ako para sa kanila kasi ako personally, yung last game ko yung championship namin but we fell short,” he said, reflecting on the Gin Kings’ runner-up finish to Alaska back in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
Raymundo was part of the 14,522 strong who trooped to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game 1 of the best-of-7 Finals series between Ginebra and Meralco, coincidentally his last two teams before retiring.
Away from the game for so long, the former Letran star shared his glee for Caguioa and Helterbrand, affectionately called “The Fast and Furious” during their heyday, as they get one final crack at a championship which could also end Ginebra’s eight-year title drought.
“I’m very happy especially for Mark and Jayjay. Masaya ako na nasa Finals sila,” said Raymundo, who had separate moments with his former guards during halftime of the game.
Raymundo refused to give a fearless forecast on the series, saying he hasn’t really followed the games but he wished the best for Ginebra’s famous duo whatever the result of this Finals series may be for Ginebra,
“I wish them the best in their careers, especially Jayjay. Nafi-feel ko si Jayjay, may hinihintay na lang na championship yan
eh,” he said.
Ginebra lost Game 1, 114-109, in overtime.