Jens Knuttel: Being Ginebra’s ‘Promising Prince’ and being out of the 'Protect 12'

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel crowd surely were delighted when the former FEU Tamaraw and Café France Baker Jens Knuttel stepped on his PBA debut.

 

Knuttel was drafted in the sixth round by Ginebra and served as a practice player. Things turned different for him when his fellow rookie James Forrester fell on the injury list because of knee injury. This episode then gave him the chance to show what he got as Coach Jeff Cariaso tapped him to be an active player.

 

 

CHANCE LONG AWAITED

The day has arrived. The Kabarangays then got more excited as he shared the good news.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

Here’s a recap of Jens’ performance in the recent concluded 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup

 


Knuttel with his teammates Slaughter and Ellis
(Credits to Owner)

GAME 4, vs Global Port; May 20, 2014

Minutes: 1

Assists: 1

 

For his debut, here are some thoughts from the kabarangays after the game:

 

“Magiging steve nash to ng pba, pareho mata nila . Bigyan lang ng playing time.”
 

“kung magaling xa sa playmaking puso n lng kaylangan nya at tibay ng dibdib”

 

“mgaling tlaga yan sa feu gunner din yan bgo pa man cla rr at terrence sya ang star player ng feu..”
 

“eh pogi na magaling pa..”
 

“Kuroko Tetsuya ng Ginebra”
 

“gyan sana ng medyo mahabang playing time ang batang ito...sa tingin ko mas magiging effective sya........”
 

“Iba talaga kapag Pogi ka na, Nasa Ginebra kapa naglalaro... abay kung tatakbo ng Senador yan mananalo eh BOOMPANES!! #NSD”

 

“Mabilis yan si Knuttel, parang batang Francis Arnaiz kung kumilos.”

 

“future point guard & ball handler ng BGSM yan... while forrester is the shooting guard”
 

 


Heartfelt throwback about his first basket as a pro



GAME 26, vs. Barako Bull; June 3, 2013

Minutes: 4

Points: 2

FG: 1/2

Reb: 1

Assists: 1

 

This is the game where he finally got his first basket in the pro league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(Credits to Owner)


 

GAME 39, vs. Alaska; June 13, 2013

Minutes: 1

Points: 2

FG: 1/1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


(Credits to Owner)



GAME 44, vs. Talk ‘N Text; June15, 2014

Minutes: 13

Points: 2

FG: 1/2

Reb: 2

Assists: 5

TO: 2



(Credits to Owner)

For sure this game was memorable enough to Jens. Aside from coming in early and playing a quality 13 minutes, his pumped up spirit made him dare the 11-year veteran and Gilas Player Jimmy Alapag on a one-on-one take.

 

On the same night, he apologized to Jimmy via twitter post. “@JAlapag3 Just wanna say I truly idolize you. I meant no disrespect at all. Sorry, I let my emotions get the best of me. Congrats on the W!” 

 

No doubt, Jens Dieter Knuttel is Ginebra’s “Promising Prince.” In time he’ll be a (Gin) King that will carry the torch for the team. But wait. The King-in-the-making dream for Knuttel is currently on hang as the “Protect 12” comes into the picture.

 

 

Last week, a Dispersal Draft List (I’m not sure if it’s official) spread on the social media naming Knuttel and Faundo as the unprotected player for Ginebra. Seems many of the fans got dismayed (so am I).

 
 

Here are some words from the disappointed fans:

“sayang si knuttle my puso ng gin”

“sayang nga c knuttle me ibubuga p yn..”

“yes sayang c Knuttle!”

“Wag nyo bitawan c knuttle gagaling pa yan eh. .”

 

What can Jens say about this?

 

 

 

 It's a 50-50 situation for now.

 

 

 

Jens, for the third time.. I'm going to tell you this again and again and again. "Never say die."

 

"Once a kabarangay, always a kabarangay."  That's for sure. But, no. You are not going anywhere.

 

You are not going anywhere so #StayJensKnuttel!