No Slowing down for Mr. Fast

            “It (basketball) is my life! This sport is my one and true love” – JayJay Helterbrand.

Jayjay Helterbrand continued to make great pace, great plays, great leadership, still playing a key role in his career stage today. Although, Helterbrand was not the same dominant point guard today as compared to the past years due to numerous injuries, he’s still the one and only “The Fast” in the league, who brought Brgy. Ginebra Kings to many championship titles, especially in the heart of whole Brgy. Ginebra community.

            The high-speed 5-foot-11 veteran playmaker known by many as ‘Helter Skelter’ was a 4-time PBA Champion (2004, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008) and a 7-time PBA All-Star from 2004-2010. He was directly hired by former Ginebra coach Ron Jacobs back in 2000.

            In 2003, he named as PBA Mr. Quality Minutes because of his excellence playing came off the bench. Helterbrand made a big bang right away when he returned to Ginebra after he was sidelined due to injury for five months as he declared as the 2004-2005 Comeback Player of the Year. In 2005, he bagged two MVP award – in the PBA All-Star Game and in the Brunei Sultan Cup.

            In 2006-2007 All-Filipino Cup, Helterbrand seized the Finals MVP trophy over his guard counterparts Olsen Racela and LA Tenorio where he led Ginebra to beat San Miguel 4-2. He later shared MVP honors with Willie Miller in 2007 All-Star Game in Baguio City. The Ginebra spitfire spearheaded the North All-Stars’ victorious comeback against South opponent in a pulsating 145-142 win where he finished with 25 markers.

            In 2008 and 2009, Helterbrand was awarded as back-to-back Best Player of the Conference and ultimately, he grabbed the Season MVP award.

            In fact, even as a little kid, Helterbrand already dreamt of playing basketball in the NBA. He was so passionate with the sports and this was the only thing he knew.

            “Dishwasher sa restaurant… kasi basketball lang talaga ang alam ko and I used to work at my family restaurant so I’ll be there washing dishes”, Helterbrand said if he’s not a basketball cager. 

            Recently, Helterbrand was back in shape after battling several injuries. But back in his MVP years, he was one of the best point guard ever came in the PBA since the time of great Johnny “Flying A” Abarrientos. He was so unstoppable especially in the fastbreak phase together with his buddy Mark Caguioa.

            “Before, when I was much younger, I think lamang ako sa bilis… I felt I was quicker, faster than most guards guarding me… I was a little bit taller and I think I was able to overpower point guards that are smaller than me”, said Helterbrand.

            Together with his backcourt partner, Caguioa, they were so-called “The Fast and The Furious” and considered as the most popular tandem in the entire history of the PBA not only because they were part of Ginebra squad who all knew that Ginebra was the all-time crowd favorite but also the way their playing with each other was so exciting. His work became easy when he played with Caguioa especially when they running the floor and his pal Caguioa was a prolific scorer. Also, the Ginebra believers provided him so much motivation that gave him inspiration to play better.

            “It (crowd) gives motivation, definitely… It really gives inspiration to everyone not just me, the whole team, the coaching staff … we feel like we can beat any team”, Helterbrand said.

            

            “Parang ako feeling ko gusto ko magdunk … uplifting talaga especially ‘pag down kami… then everyone’s cheering “GI-NEB-RA”, you wanna win it”, he added.

            Aside from being a basketball cager, Helterbrand recently opened up a business here in the Philippines named “TheGoodNews”. This was his clothing line. The good thing was it had a positive significance to do with the Words of God. They also do printing, giveaways, gifts, T-shirts, mugs, ballers, etc.

            “It gives everyone a positive message and the reason why I started that business is that maybe I can influence people, young and old, to accept Jesus Christ into our life”, Helterbrand explained.

            As now, the whole Ginebra fans hope that Helterbrand will be finally recovered and can play the same intensity that he played in the past. Helterbrand at 35, only thinking of getting his conditioning back to be able to move better and play better.

            As long as he stays healthy and can play in the PBA, he wanted to play only wearing Ginebra uniform. Though with all of his achievements, Helterbrand said that one thing before that was not present in his life was the presence of God and now that he corrected that, he really fixed a lot of things in his life – fixed everything with his family, with friends that he maybe forget about and this all starts with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

with Brgy. Ginebra's top point gurad Jayjay "The Fast" Helterbrand

            “In my stage of career, I don’t really strive to get individual awards. Now, I just wanna win as much championships as I can, and that’s the ultimate award for me”, Helterbrand said.

            Helterbrand was the best playmaker and court general in the court when he’s healthy and the Brgy. Ginebra supporters can’t await of the comeback of “The Fast” and maybe next conference they expecting to see again the same Helterbrand back in his MVP years particularly that he delivered a good news recently to all Ginebra and PBA followers that he wouldn’t retire but return to Ginebra team only.