Guiao: Sorry, Ginebra fans empty stands could level playing field

MANILA, Philippines – Ginebra’s loss will be everybody else’s gain if and when action returns in the PBA Philippine Cup.

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said games being held in empty stadiums and minus the fans will benefit any team going up against Ginebra.

“Mapaparehas (It’s going to be even),” said the outspoken coach.

Ginebra is the undisputed crowd darling in the PBA, and coaches would agree that facing Ginebra is like facing the Philippine national team.

It’s always a one-sided contest in the stands where Ginebra fans would easily outnumber their counterparts 10-to-1.

Guiao said this will not be the case once government gives the PBA the green light to proceed with actual games by September or October under strict COVID-19 protocols.

“We’re excited to play. Pero pasensya na muna sa mga taga-Ginebra (But I’m sorry for Ginebra fans),” said the NLEX coach.

“Malaking tulong sa amin ’yun (It will be a big help to us),” he said.

The Gins Kings can only try to imagine the effects of playing in a silent arena, with no fans chanting “Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!”

“Syempre maninibago kami (It will be different),” said Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio.

“Hindi kami sanay (We’re not used to it),” he added.

Tenorio, in jest, said they’ve prepared recorded chants of their fans to be used during the games.

But that’s quite far from the real thing.