Seniors brave long lines, believe Ginebra can win it all tonight

Fans form a long line outside the Big Dome ahead of the PBA Finals Game 6 between Ginebra and Meralco.

No amount of waiting will deter a couple of senior citizens from watching their fabled Ginebra team take a possible ninth title Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ed Ansaldo, 62, skipped his day job at one of the country’s network giants just to watch Ginebra take on Meralco in the sixth game of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

“Hindi muna ako lumabas ngayon, pinagpaliban ko muna [trabaho ko] para dito sa championship,” said Ansaldo, who has been in line since 2 pm.

Tipoff starts at 7 pm.

“Overall okay naman pagpila, kanina pa ako nakatayo pero di naman ako nangawit kasi sanay na ako,” said Ansaldo.

Rizalito Fontalba, 76, also patiently waited in line just to possibly Ginebra end its title drought—something he is sure is going to happen Wednesday night.

“Iuuwi na talaga ngayon, sigurado ako,” said Fontalba who has been a fan of Ginebra since the days of legendary Robert Jaworski, like Ansaldo.

But their love for Jaworski transcended the PBA; they started to become fans of the architect of the “never-say-die” since his time with, ironically, Meralco in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association.

“Ngayon na dapat niya ibuhos iyan, pag nag Game 7 balyahan na yun,” said Fontalba. “Mananakit na pati mga fans nun.”