Our Victory (SMSCM's Grand Slam Victory party)

July 9, 2014

San Mig Super Coffee Mixers

Governor's Cup Champion

Four-peat

Grand Slam

Tears of joy.

Speechless.

Euphoria.

July 11, 2014

San Mig Super Coffee Mixers

Victory Party

My little brother, who was afraid he'll not be allowed to enter because he doesn't have any ID.

We arrived there and fell in line at 4:30 in the afternoon.

I skipped the afternoon session of our Journalism Seminar just to get here with my brother. (That's what I promised him, because he really wanted to meet the players personally, specially Marc Pingris and Marqus Blakely so he can give them his own-made loom bands. haha)

As we were about to enter the venue, Marc Pingris came out on the other gate. My lil brother shouted, "Si Ping, te si Ping!" I get my camera and "click"! He's heading to SM, together with a body guard. 

So we're in. The screen was showing the replay of historic Game 5 of recently concluded Governor's Cup.

We were still shouting and clapping our hands, as if, we're watching it live. 

Few moments later, players started to enter the scene that made us, fans, gone wild. 

Who says, you need to be James Yap to be popular? Sus! 
May gano'n ba? Sino?
Jerwin Gaco is the name. According to Gov. Pardo, he's a leader and good motivator from the bench. A glue-guy who's said to be one of the most popular second- third stringer. We will going to find out soon, if he'll be staying with us or not. :( 

My heart melts everytime I hear his voice. #Quickmelt talaga. :) This electrifying rookie, Justin Melton is the new Super Sub (because PJ Simon is a starter already) and Mr. Quality Minutes of this team. I hope he'll stay... :)

This is Ian Sangalang - the Priced Rookie. 
The blessed 2nd over-all pick. 
He's the youngest of all the freshmen but plays with maturity who never backs down and he steps up when needed. 
Don't mind the ROY, MVP is just around. 
Malay mo next year? :)

The Speaker of the House. 
The Walking Mismatch. 
The Clown. 
Another role player who knows the system very well, yet rarely appreciated. He can play multiple position and can also be a threat in offense in any given time. 
Yow the man, Joe Devance! 




All Filipino Cup 2014- Finals MVP.
Mark Barroca.
He was once the Coffee Prince, turned into a  Coffee King. 
One of the fourth quarter of this team who can kill the opponent, either by scoring or making stops. 
Already has five championships across his name. 
Wow!
Isn't that great for the highness? :)
#LarongBarroca
#DepensangBarroca

One of the BIG-3, Peter Jun Simon. 
The Scoring Apostle, who finally, got a major award as one of the Mythical Five in this season, 2013-2014. 
Playing behind the shadow of James Yap never stopped him from doing what he does best. 
A perfect ROLE - STAR- MVP CALIBER PLAYER-HUMBLE-GIRL MAGNET-CALM-SELFLESS-ETC-ETC-ETC. <3
I do hope that you'll get another Major Award. Uhm. 
Kahit MVP LANG okay na yun. :)



Governor's Cup 2014- Finals MVP.
The Man with a Million Moves. 
Big Game James Yap.
Just when many fans thought na "laos ka na", suddenly, Woooooosh! 
Two consecutive Finals MVP LANG NAMAN! 
How can this team let go of someone like you? 
Play ground mo daw po yung mga big games. Totoo po ba 'yun? :D

Governor's Cup 2013- Finals MVP.
PUSO.
The Heart and Soul of this team.
An emotional player, a true leader who walks what he talks.
Pinoy Sakuragi.
The Defensive Demon.
Sana marami ka pang ma-inspire na kabataan like my brother. 
He wants to be like you,
Marc Pingris.

After almost an hour, the players were instructed to go down for a press conference. 

While waiting, the fans once again watched the fourth quarter's replay of the Game Five.

The big shots and the big misses.

The chances that ROS had, yet DESTINY dictates, it's really San Mig Coffee's time. 

Malas. Divine Intervention. Whichever you may call it. Ang alam ko lang, IT'S OUR DESTINY. 

After the game, lumabas na yung dalawang MC's..

Few moments later, they called one by one all the members of the team from the utilities, physicians, players, assistant coaches, coach, governor upto the team Manager. 

The program started afterwards.  All the team members lined up on stage.

Coach Tim Cone was called for a short speech.

He first thanked the utilties specially Mang Jun Jun (Boy Sucat) and Mang Maning (Defense Anchor)Coach Tim believed that they are one of the pieces for this Grand Slam puzzle. Every little things and support they did, gave an additional motivation to the players.

He also thanked Marqus. He said that it all started with Marqus. Governor's Cup 2013 and now Governor's Cup 2014.

Then, he recognized all the players effort and perseverance. Followed by his word of gratefulness to Team Manager, Alvin Patrimonio.

And ofcourse, Coach Tim Cone expressed his gratitude towards the fans- their support and prayers.
After his speech is the turnover of trophy, received by the BIG THREE.

The party didn't end there.

They once again gave the players the time to go to the fans to have picture taking and autograph signing. 

Alex Mallari. 

Another player who's game was really evolved. 

He has better play making skills and shot selections now. 

But, what's the best thing he brought to the table? 

His defense. 

He was tasked to stop Castro and the likes, then the imports as well. 

One of the now and future of this team.

Allein Maliksi. 

Bawing-bawi! 

Of all the injuries that haunted him, a Grand Slam is the best way to further motivates him to keep going. 

No doubt, he's a threat in offense.

He's not afraid to take his shots from all areas.Could be the next James or PJ of this team. But making his own name is the best. 

Marqus Blakely. The BEST IMPORT!                             
OMG my tears start to fall.

Like what Coach Tim said, this historic 4-peat started on you. What amazed me was the fact that, you're not in your 100% physical condition, yet your 100+% energy is always being felt by us, by your teammates most specially.                     
Your scream whenever you dunk, block or scored hard was great,but what's greater was that everytime I saw you scream and jump when James scored big, when Pingris blocked a shot, when PJ finished strong to the basket and when Justin Melton dunked the ball. 

Hope to see you next year Marqus!

 Cap Alvin Patrimonio. 
My first ever favorite player and probably the main reason why I'm still supporting this team. 
His presence on the bench right now as a team manager is no doubt one of the players' motivation.
He taps players'shoulder, he gives some whispers of maybe instructions and praises to the players. 
He's still, I believe, the spiritual leader of this team.

Coach Richard Del Rosario. 

He helps in training our Bigs. 

Aside from that, his sense of humor brings lightness to the team.

He's not kept by Coach Tim for nothing. 

Sir, tuloy niyo lang po yung School of Freethrow ah. hehe

Coach Jason Webb.

Everything happens for a reason ika-nga.

I never imagined that Sir Jason Webb, will be working with Coach Tim Cone in this team. 

One of the better if not the best commentator in the PBA, now part of this Grand slam team. 

One of the highlight of the event is the Jamming Time!

Look at Taha. Now we know what will be his career if he quits basketball. hehe

After that very very fun jamming time was Marc Pingris' speech.

He thanked all the fans for support and love.

He mentioned that without us, this Grand Slam will be impossible to achieve.

He also gave credits to those who watched practices and apologized if sometimes they weren't accommodated well because of tiredness. 

To end the program, all the members went up again on stage, circled around together, raised their hands in unity and waved good bye on us. 

That good bye doesn't mean the end.

Like what the players were saying, specially James, that he is still longing for more championships.

This victory is for all of us.

For the players, a reward given by the Most High, of all their hardships, sacrifices and pains.

For the management, who has given this team the opportunity of having a great coach and assistant coaches who were able to choose a bunch of talented role players.

For Coach Tim, who religiously poured out his efforts, mind and soul to achieve his 2nd Grand Slam.

For the assistant coaches, who shared what they have and gave all out support to the master.

And for us, San Mig Coffee Fans, who earnestly cheered every game, live or at home, who cried every defeat, who had sleepless nights whether in pain or joy.