Bianca Gonzalez vowed to be her husband JC Intal’s “No. 1 cheerleader forever” after he announced his retirement from professional basketball.
On Sunday night, March 22, the Phoenix Super LPG forward took to Instagram to share that he was officially hanging up his jersey “after two decades of playing the sport I love, 13 years of which in the PBA.”
In a touching post on Instagram on Monday, March 23, Bianca expressed how proud she is to have been part of JC’s 20-year sports journey. They have been a couple for 11 years and six years married.
“I may not have been there at the start of your 20-year basketball journey, but I am so proud and honored to be by your side and the end of it,” Bianca wrote.
She said that one of the things she has in common with JC is that “we knew we were role players in our chosen careers. It drove us both to constantly work to improve, to keep our feet on the ground, and to be good soldiers.”
Bianca added that JC also helped her get through her own struggles through leading by example.
“I so deeply admire your work ethic, integrity, and how mentally strong you were on days that you had a bad game, that your team had a big loss, or when you’d read nasty feedback. You may not know it, but you being you helped me deal with many of my toughest days.”
She added, “It makes me incredibly proud hearing so many stories of aspiring athletes who look up to you and also colleagues whose lives you’ve touched. You were always so genuine and kind with how you connected with them, which inspired me to do the same.”
Bianca recalled that it was always a proud moment for her to watch every basketball game of JC, from when she was still a girlfriend until she became his partner in life.
“Every time I would sit in the coliseum with patron tickets as a perk for being your girlfriend, then wife; on the outside it may seem like ‘normal lang’ but I assure you, deep inside, I would always be sooo kilig and proud to sit there, watching you, with my heart racing every time you’d hold the ball.”
“I can honestly go on and on and on pero hindi naman ako yung nag-retire from the game so ang OA naman kung mas mahaba pa ang sinulat ko sayo hahaha. BUT!! I would just like to honor you.”
She promised her husband that she will always be his No. 1 fan.
“Even though you won’t be playing pro basketball anymore, I promise to be your # 1 cheerleader FOR LIFE, alongside two little cheerleaders, Lucia and Carmen. We love you so much and we are so proud of you!!!! @jcintal7.”
The cager officially announce his retirement on Sunday, wherein he thanked the people who made it possible for him to pursue a basketball career.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to every single person who helped me make this journey possible—from playing for 2 years in Letran for High School, to 5 years in Ateneo for College, and 13 years in the pro league. Thank you to my wife, Bianca, and our daughters Lucia and Carmen for the love and inspiration.”
He also thanked his parents, friends and colleagues, and “every single coach I was under from the NCAA, UAAP, PBL, GILAS, and in the PBA.”
“It is a bittersweet feeling for me to say goodbye to the game that has been a huge part of my life, but I am moving forward feeling happy and proud knowing I made the most of the privilege to play basketball professionally.
“It has been the honor of my life to play basketball. From the bottom of my heart, again, THANK YOU. #RocketOut ?.”
