PBA legend Eric Menk honored in retirement ceremony

MANILA, Philippines – Eric “Major Pain” Menk was given a fitting retirement ceremony by his last team, the Alaska Aces, along with the team he won all of his championships with, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, on Sunday, May 7.

At halftime of the timely ceremony arranged specifically for the Alaska-Ginebra matchup of the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Menk was surrounded by his family, former teammates and coaches, including Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey, Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa, and Jayjay Helterbrand.

“Thank you so much. A lot of people to thank,” Menk started when he took the mic following a video tribute.

“The first thing I want to say is I’m just very blessed to play in the PBA for as long as I have, and for the teams and the people that I’ve played with and I’ve played for, I’m very, very thankful for.”

The 42-year-old center last played for Alaska last season, but was not signed again this year. He has since started a podcast called “Staying Major” and branded himself as “multimedia mogul.”

“I just want to say thank you, it is great to see. I want to thank Alaska for putting this thing together. It’s good to see all the Ginebra fans. I haven’t played for them for 5 years but the response I’ve gotten the last few days from many of their fans and former teammates and former coaches has been overwhelming,” he added.

“All I can say is thank you. It’s been a dream come true to play as long as I have, to play in front of you guys. Thank you very much.”

Menk, a Filipino-American from Michigan, has had a decorated 17-year PBA career that includes 4 championships, 10 All-Star selections, 3 Best Player of the Conference honors, 3 Finals Most Valuable Player awards, a season MVP trophy in 2005, and a prestigious selection into the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players of all time.

Menk first played for the Tanduay Rhum Masters before getting traded to Ginebra in 2001, where he stayed for 11 years. After a short stint with GlobalPort Batang Pier, Menk ended his storied career with the Aces in 2016.

“I’m just a little bit overwhelmed. I never thought that this would be a big deal. I never thought so many people cared,” Menk said in the broadcast interview.

“It’s great seeing my former teammates and guys that have really helped me my entire career here. I’m just overwhelmed and I feel very grateful.”

Menk was honored in the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the very same floor where his most memorable PBA moment materialized over a decade ago in the 2005 Philippine Cup Finals.

He recalled Game 6 of that finals against the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals on February 11, before a crowd of 18,287, when he dropped 39 points and 19 rebounds to finish off Alapag’s side, 96-86.

In that same conference Menk also bagged the Best Player and Finals MVP awards.

“That was the peak of my career,” he said. “I’ll always think fondly of my time with Ginebra and Tanduay. I won’t forget about my first team. They gave me my first shot here.”

Known for his brute strength and skill in the paint, Menk shared how he would like to be remembered now that his playing career is over.

“Well… The two things that I’ve heard in the last few days – my dad has always stressed on being a smart basketball player. Being a hard worker and being known as a smart player or a student of the game, that to me, that’s what my parents wanted, that’s what my coaches always wanted,” he explained.

“Despite my physical limitations, those are the things I’m happy I’m known for. There are times in Ginebra, there are times in Tanduay that I’m very proud of. Looking at those things, I think my father would be proud, I think my coaches would be proud.” – Rappler.com