Will the Iceman cometh?

Basketball Hall of Famer George (Iceman) Gervin and his wife Joyce plan to visit Manila if Coca-Cola, where their son George Jr. plays, makes it deep into the PBA Fiesta Conference playoffs.

That’s the word from Singapore-based American agent Jerry Barisano who manages the Gervin family’s cage affairs.

“George and Joyce never watched Gee (Gervin Jr.) play overseas so it will be a first,” said Barisano who was in Manila last weekend. “They watch Gee’s games live in the internet on netvision so they know the quality of play in the PBA. Besides, George’s brother Derrick once played for Purefoods.”

Gervin, 31, is the oldest of three children. His brother Jared, a massage therapist, and sister Tia, who works for a medical company, never played organized hoops. 

“I’ve been playing overseas the last seven years so it’ll be a treat if my parents can come to Manila,” said Gervin, a bachelor. “They’re very busy, especially my father who’s an NBA ambassador, but I hope they can visit. But it will also depend on how our team does.”

Coca-Cola has lost three of its last four but a 3-0 start provided a cushion for a 6-4 record. Because of their finish in the previous conference, the Tigers are allowed to play two imports – 6-9 Jason Dixon of Liberty College and 6-1 Gervin.

“I owe everything I am to my parents,” said Gervin. “Growing up, my biggest influence was my mom because my dad was busy playing. But I am what I am now because of my dad. My parents never pressured me to play. My first sport was tennis and as a kid, I loved to race bikes. But when I got to high school, I started playing ball. I would be at the gym every morning at five shooting for at least two hours before class at eight.”

It was the Iceman who taught Gervin how to cope with life.

“Basketball is in my genes so it’s easy to understand why I love it,” said Gervin. “I learned the mental game from my dad. I saw how he is with people and that has influenced how I am.”

When he was 12, Gervin was a ballboy on a tour that Barisano organized for NBA Legends in Australia and Taiwan in 1989. The tour was headlined by the Iceman and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“We were in Melbourne and there was this man who asked Kareem for an autograph,” related Barisano. “I found out this man had waited in the hotel lobby for about eight hours. He wanted the autograph for his son who was sick. But Kareem turned him away. George saw what happened and asked Gee to go to Kareem’s room and get his autograph for the man. In a few minutes, Gee was back with the autograph and the man was so grateful. It was a small lesson in life but it had a lot of impact on Gee, thanks to his father.”

From high school, Gervin played a season at Arizona State then went to San Jacinto Junior College before seeing action for two years at the University of Houston under coach Clyde Drexler. He averaged 18 points as a senior in 1999-2000. 

In 2001, Gervin experienced his most unforgettable moment in hoops. He averaged 16.3 points for the Detroit Dogs who won the American Basketball Association title with his father as coach.

Gervin played a year for the Harlem Globetrotters and before landing in Manila, suited up in Venezuela, Cyprus, Lebanon, Qatar and Sweden. Gervin is a celebrity in Sweden where he has played the last four years for the Norrkoping Dolphins. 

“The Swedish league is dominated by American guards,” said Gervin. “I like Sweden because they play up-and-down which suits my style as a scoring point guard. They’re not as physical as in the PBA. I think if PBA players go to Sweden, they’ll all foul out.”

Gervin said in his PBA debut, he was slapped in the face during a game. “I couldn’t believe it,” he went on. “I wanted to retaliate. But coach Binky (Favis) told me they’re just trying to get my goat. It’s rough out there but I’ve learned to adjust. I think my defenders respect me now. They play me physical but don’t do any of the cheap shots anymore.”

Gervin said he respects the talent level in the PBA. “(Wynne) Arboleda is tough – he’s not dirty but he plays physical,” he said. “I enjoy watching (Mark) Caguioa and (Jay-Jay) Helterbrand. They’re exciting players. It’s too bad their team (Ginebra) hasn’t come around but I expect it will in time.”

As for Coca-Cola, Gervin said the team can only get better.

“Jason is a great big man who can score, rebound, defend and pass,” said Gervin. “I hang out with Asi (Taulava). He watches my back. He told me not to worry about shooting because he’ll be there for the rebounds in case I miss. Alex (Cabagnot) is my biggest supporter. Whether I come off the bench or start, I’ll do my best for the team. Coach wants me to play my game and I think I’m at my best on an attack mode.”

Because of their busy schedules, it’s not often the Gervins get together in their 30-acre ranch just outside of San Antonio. But when they do, it’s a happy reunion – something Gervin hopes will happen in Manila soon.