San Juan Knights are the ‘Ginebra of MPBL,’ says team co-owner

Photo from MPBL

MANILA, Philippines—Former senator Jinggoy Estrada is about to get himself busy despite losing in the recently-concluded 2019 midterm elections.

Estrada, who placed 15th in the senatorial race, said he’d turn his focus to his basketball team the San Juan Knights in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

In his first public appearance since the losing the senatorial race, Estrada said he has high hopes for the MPBL’s defending champions even likening his ball club to the iconic Barangay Ginebra franchise of the PBA.

“Now that I don’t have work, I’d rather turn my attention to then team,” said Estrada in Filipino during the team’s press conference Wednesday at Café Ysabel in San Juan. “Also, I might go back to acting that’s why I’m getting some skincare in.”

Estrada, who co-owns the Knights, said his team has the same never-say-die attitude that has made the Gin Kings one of the most popular franchises in the PBA with 14 trophies.

“The players have the determination, they have the heart to win, that’s why I think this is the Ginebra of the MPBL,” said Estrada.

The Knights proved that in Game 5 of the finals of the past season against Davao when they came back from five points down, 84-79, with 1:48 left in dramatic fashion to win the title on the road.

Jhonard Clarito spearheaded the Knights’ rally, scoring the team’s final four points.

“Why Ginebra? They have that never say die attitude,” said Estrada. “If you remember our last game against Davao, that could’ve been a lost cause but the boys never gave up because they were really determined.”