09/11/2023
The 1996 Ginebra San Miguel team, led by playing coach Robert Jaworski from the University of the East (UE), experienced a significant turnaround during PBA Season 22.
With rookies Marlou Aquino from Adamson University and Bal David from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) merging well with veterans like Noli Locsin from De La Salle University, Vince Hizon from Ateneo de Manila University, EJ Feihl from Adamson, and Pido Jarencio from UST, the Ginebra team was transformed from underdogs to formidable title contenders.
They reached the semifinals of the first conference All-Filipino Cup, the first time they had survived the elimination round after eight unsuccessful conferences.
They fell just one win short of reaching the finals in the Commissioner's Cup but made it to the championship round of the Governors’ Cup for the first time since 1991. However, they were defeated by Tim Cone's Alaska team, which was seeking a grand slam. This led to Gary Granada’s hit song "Pag Natatalo Ang Ginebra," encapsulating the deep disappointment felt by the vast Ginebra fanbase yearning for a championship.
Overall, the team chalked up 35 wins, the most since the PBA's move to the Cuneta Astrodome. This tally surpassed their total wins from the three previous seasons combined and marked their highest number of victories in eight seasons.
