PBA 37th season : JJ Helterbrand thinking of retirement

Source : Sel Guevara, InterAKTV

“Daddy really needs to be home right now.”
That was how Barangay Ginebra guard Jayjay Helterbrand framed his answer when asked about his retirement plans. With two daughters, aged 16 and 11 years old, living with his parents in the United States, the 2009 PBA Most Valuable Player is considering making the ultimate sacrifice: giving up his basketball career to be there for his girls.

The decision isn’t final yet; Helterbrand said that he will use the upcoming Philippine Cup, which begins on October 2, to gauge whether or not his body can still hold up to the rigors of playing in the PBA.

“If I’m able to complete the whole [Philippine Cup] without being injured, it’s a good sign,” he said. “And if not, I’m leaning toward early retirement.”

The 34-year-old guard won the PBA’s top individual honor only two seasons ago. But injuries to his hamstring and his knees caused him to miss most of the past two seasons and, like a thief in the night, have robbed him of the athleticism that once made him the most lethal point guard in the league. Helterbrand is the first to admit that he is no longer the player he once was.

“[I am no longer] that explosive Jayjay [from] two or three years ago,” he said.

Mark Caguioa, Helterbrand’s longtime backcourt partner, isn’t ready to see his buddy go just yet.

“That’s the sad part, yun lang ayoko mangyari,” said Caguioa. “Kami na lang natitira dito. We’ve been here the longest.”

“Seeing him na mag-re-retire na siya makes me kinda sad.”

Caguioa, however, has a plan to keep Helterbrand’s mind off retirement talk.

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“I’m happy he’s back on the court and he got his strength back. Hopefully, we have a successful conference, and [Helterbrand would] not think of retiring.”

Meanwhile, Ronald Tubid, another Ginebra veteran who has been with Helterbrand through numerous wars, is trying to talk his teammate out of quitting.

“Decision niya yan pero kinukumbinse ko siya na, ‘Come on man you’re only 34, it’s a long way to go, as long as you stay fit lang,’” said Tubid.

Once a brash presence on the court, there’s humility painted all over Helterbrand’s face when talking about his health issues. Even as he still religiously goes to therapy sessions in between training to rehab his injuries, he said that he could already keep up with his teammates during training. And while his future is uncertain, he is quick to reassure fans of the league’s biggest crowd darling that his efforts will always be a hundred percent.

While on the subject of Ginebra supporters, Helterbrand began talking about how thankful he is for the fans who’ve been there for him in his 11 playing years in the PBA.

Then, he caught himself.

“Wow, I’m speaking as if I’m retired already,” he said with a laugh.

For Ginebra fans, the upcoming conference might be the last time they see Helterbrand’s tandem with Caguioa for the Gin Kings. Don’t blink, or you might miss the final hurrah of the Fast and the Furious.