Mercado, Maierhofer avoid the legendary 7 and 10 SMB jersey numbers
One of the most exciting events for Rico Maierhofer and Sol Mercado as new members of the retuning San Miguel Beermen was when they were asked for their jersey numbers.
They initially had numbers, Maierhofer going back to his old number 10 while Mercado wanting to sport a new number 7, but they quickly realized the numbers they wanted belong to much-revered former Beermen Danny Ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros.
“Di ko na tinuloy kasi respect para kay DI. Idol ko siya since high school pa ako,” said Maierhofer. “Yung number 1, ito yung gamit ko nung rookie year ko sa Purefoods, nag-champion naman kami noon kaya sana gumana ulit sa SMB.”
“I was going to be number 7,” Mercado said. “I haven’t used it before but it’s my fiancée’s favorite number, then I realized it was Dondon’s number and I don’t want to disrespect him by using it.”
Mercado then decided to use 0 to explain his current role with the San Miguel Beermen.
“To me, 0 means I’m starting from scratch. With this team, I want it to be all about my teammates, that I’m nothing without them. That’s why I got 0,” Mercado explained. “I really didn’t want to put much thought into the number but I didn’t want to use number 7. He played 10 years with the franchise wearing that number and I don’t want to disrespect his accomplishments by wearing his old SMB number.”
Ildefonso was thankful for the gesture but he clarified that he really doesn’t mind if his old number is used.
“E sabi ko nga kay June Mar [Fajardo], kunin niya yung 10 okay lang sa akin e,” Ildefonso said before the start of Meralco’s game against his former team. “Pati kay kay Rico, okay lang naman yun. Wala naman gproblema sa akin yun. Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya na nagpakita sila ng respeto sa akin pero kung meron sa kanilang gusting gamitin yun, wala naman sa akin, lalong lalo na si June Mar. Magiging proud pa nga ako kung gamitin ni June Mar yung 10.”
Asked whether he wanted to use his mentor’s old number, Fajardo kept his answer short and simple. “Ayoko. Nakakahiya sa kanya.”
