The PBA Motoclub
Friendship, camaraderie, total fun.
I see these elements whenever I watch PBA Motoclub youtube channel. Parang naglalaro lang sila, but the cast of Rico Maierhofer, Jayjay Helterbrand, Marc Pingris et al, totally amuses. From their motorcycle rides to basketball exhibition games.
What started for me like a killing time activity is now a regular night habit. And I have seen a lot of their episodes. My own family would easily conclude that once inside our bedroom, I am just there watching PBA Motoclub episodes.
Which I do actually, from the exhibition games, their rides, their ambush interviews, food trips, shopping sprees and even their simple conversations. I have seen their one month journey to Canada and the one week New Zealand trip.
They bring delight not only to their followers and viewers but Filipino communities abroad. It is but commendable that in those foreign trips, they give due recognition to OFWs, honoring the modern-day heroes.
FUNNY. Unscripted, a lot of the episodes bring laughter. How the cast, from being retired pro basketball players, have become instant comedians. I cannot forget one scene where Rico was teased to no end when he said he had “tears of joy” (when what he actually meant was teary-eyed) in saying goodbye to family as he left with the group for Canada. Equally a happy scene too was Jerwin Gaco’s haircut by Rico. If I may be clear, funny here means that laughter they bring to viewers like me.
FRIENDSHIP. These guys were once arch nemesis on the court. Like Billy Mamaril really slugged it out whenever he played against Marc Pingris. In the many times they fought in Manila Classico, Ginebra and Purefoods/Magnolia tussles were always intense and even physical.
But in their retirement, camaraderie is now so evident as they wear one new jersey. Competition has turned into brotherhood. They travel together, eat and sleep together.
GINEBRA FACTOR. The Jaworski/Ginebra fan in me is all but delighted that most of the PBA MotoClub members were, at one point or another, member of the most popular ballclub not just in the Philippines but probably in the whole of Asia.
These include mainstays Rico, Mamaril, Sunday Salvacion, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, KG Canaleta, JC Intal (the last two are fellow Capampangans). In some episodes, I got to see Sol Mercado, Ronald Tubid, JayR Reyes, Allan Caidic. Oh yes, there was one game too that they had Noli Locsin and Bal David in the line-up.
The phrase “Once a King Always a King” was mentioned in one episode. Helterbrand is tops on the list of former Ginebra stalwart. He played only for that never-say-die franchise. I remember buying two of his “The Good News” tee-shirts as he used PBA as a platform to profess his faith in God. I see him lead prayers before and after plays of the new ballclub. What a pro. What a testimony.
VALUES. More than sportsmanship, sharing of talent in clinics, brothershood and camaraderie, they also share valuable insights on family. They may not have the perfect families of their own, but it is interesting to note their outlook in life – with the family being a priority.
For example, Gaco is in the hunt for a wife. But he does show his utmost care and love for his daughters. In their trip to New Zealand, Rico and Marc brought their own families where it is nice to note of their participation in the games and fun (with early teen son Mik Pingris showing a lot of promise in three points).
SIDESWIPE. Now that they are no longer playing for any team in the PBA, these boys get to thrown some shots at the league where they once ruled over. Rightly so, they share valuable insights which they think could help the league which is now affected by some controversies on farm teams, migration of players to Japan and Korea and even the MPBL. PBA better lend an ear.
PBA Motoclub. You are truly amazing. Keep it up. God bless.