Helterbrand succeeds triple-double in Ginebra victory vs Purefoods for PBA Legends Game

“It’s really an honor to be able to play on the court with all the legends.” – Jayjay Helterbrand (File Photo: PBA/Facebook)

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fans were able to watch some of their favorite veteran players during the Return of the Rivals exhibition game last Sunday, February 17, where the Barangay Ginebra greats overcame the Purefoods’ legends, 97-89, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Retired 42-year-old Filipino-American player Jayjay Helterbrand showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with as he performed a triple-double at 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Forty-eight-year-old Vince Hizon also made an impact, scoring his 19 points during the third quarter of the game alone, distancing the Kings from the Hotdogs after their tied half-time. As a result, both players were named players of the game, sharing the P25,000 reward.

In reaction to his performance, Helterbrand told the media, “It’s really an honor to be able to play on the court with all the legends. Just the stories I’ve heard in practice, getting a chance to be coached by the legend himself and be able to play for a good cause, that was fun,” adding, “ I was in awe trying to absorb everything. I didn’t really plan on playing that hard, but I didn’t want to let them down. I came out there and I wanted to get that win for them.”

When asked about returning to the professional league, Helterbrand declined the idea, even joking, “I think I pushed myself a little bit over the limit. My body hurts. I need an ice bath now.”

The Ginebra Kings lineup also included Marlou Aquino, Noli Locsin, and Bal David, who scored 15 points, 14 points, and 12 points respectively. For their victory, the Robert Jaworski-coached squad received P100,000 cash prize.

For the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, a team now renamed as the Magnolia Hotshots, 41-year-old Roger Yap had the game-high of 27 points, while Paul Artadi and Tony Boy Espinosa chipped 14 points each. They were coached by commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Mon Fernandez.