And that elusive ninth crown remains elusive for the PBA's most popular team. Once again, the hearts of the team's die-hard and most endearing fans gets broken. Tears are once again shed. The waiting game continues for the Barangay Ginebra die-hards.
In this year's Commissioner Cup, the Gin Kings could only manage an 8th place finish eventually bowing out to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals. The team's recent failure has once again fueled heated debates between its die hard fans and its haters as well. Prized center Greg Slaughter himself could not hide his frustration to the recent debacle of his team. He was the only shining light during Ginebra's game against the Painters.
Hoping to finally change Ginebra's fortune, management once again implemented another coaching change by sacking Coach Ato Agustin and replacing him with former player and San Beda Red Lions' coach Frankie Lim. He becomes the third coach of Ginebra in the last five conferences. As a player and coach he is a proven winner. But can he bring that winning attitude to a Ginebra team loaded with stars up and down the order?
Frankie Lim was a proven winner in his days as coach of the San Beda Red Lions. He led to the team to the NCAA title in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. In 2009, the Lions also played in the Finals but got swept by San Sebastian. In 2010, he steered the Lions to a perfect 18-0 season winning 16 games in the eliminations and two in the Finals. As San Beda's coach, he had a 70 - 8 record.
Frankie Lim is just what the doctor ordered for Ginebra. He also thrives in the "run-and-gun" system which Ginebra is known for all these years. He is a known disciplinarian and strict when it comes to basketball. Something which is very similar to Sonny Jaworski when he was still the coach of Ginebra. As a player, Frankie Lim also showed his "never-say-die" attitude not giving up until the final buzzer sounds.
Upon taking over as coach, Frankie Lim immediately went to work. First, he shipped seldom used players Dylan Ababou and James Forrester to Barako for the latter's 2015 first round pick. Next, he traded away enforcer Billy Mamaril for a former Red Lion in Dave Marcelo. His being a disciplinarian was seen in the way he handles practice-- rigorous and intense. Twitter feeds from known basketball analysts often post pictures of players huffing and puffing after practice.
So are we finally seeing happy days for Ginebra in the next conferences? Practice is different from the actual games. Ginebra fanatics are hoping that indeed "good things" will come for Ginebra under its new coach. The Kings have advanced to the playoffs for 24 straight conferences since their last title. However, they could only manage two Finals appearance. With Coach Frankie Lim at the helm, we are all hoping that that Ginebra will finally bag that championship which has eluded them for the past seven years.
