Retired Helterbrand declines offer to rejoin Ginebra as assistant coach
Jayjay Helterbrand during Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' thanksgiving party on Friday, Dec. 1 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan | Philstar.com/Denison Dalupang
MANILA, Philippines — Jayjay Helterbrand in a Barangay Ginebra uniform is a lock. But not anytime soon. Oh, we’re not talking about hooping threads.
The half of the famed guard duo of the Gin Kings — dubbed as “The Fast and the Furious” — called it a career days after his team won its 10th Philippine Basketball Championship.
On Friday afternoon, when the Gin Kings threw a thanksgiving party at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan, it was hinted that the Filipino-American guard was making a comeback. Only this time as part of the guys calling the shots from the sideline.
“Well, coach Tim and the head of the management offered me an assistant coaching spot in the team already but I kinda of declined it for now,” he told reporters.
Jayjay Helterbrand—one of Ginebra’s iconic players—gives his Kings brothers and @manilacone one last hug in his final thanksgiving party. He announced his retirement from the game of basketball days after @barangayginebra won their 10th PBA championship. pic.twitter.com/qe0tDD0dfs
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) December 1, 2017
The 41-year-old’s passing on the offer is not firm, though. The six-time PBA champion and former league Most Valuable Player is not discounting the possibility that one day, all of the chips will fall into place.
“But in the future? I don’t when,” he shared with a smile. “If it’s still available, if they’re gonna allow me, I definitely want to come back.”
Right now, Helterbrand said his focus is to make up for lost time with his family in the United States.
“For sure they’re gonna ask my why I chose to retire. I’m sure they’re still shocked about it. I know my mom is. My mom didn’t want to believe it. She thinks it’s a big joke,” he bared.
Asked what’s on the top of his to-do list when he is reunited with his relatives, Helterbrand gamely shared: “Just the simple things — dinner with everyone, really just choppin’ it up over some good food.”
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