By Adrian Stewart Co

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters forward John Christopher “JC” Intal has called it a career after playing for 13 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

In a lengthy Instagram post late Sunday evening, the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles forward announced his decision to hang his sneakers for good.

“After two decades of playing the sport I love, 13 years of which in the PBA, I am officially announcing my retirement from basketball,” the 37-year-old Intal said.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to every single person who helped me make this journey possible – from playing for two years in Letran for high school, to five years in Ateneo for college, and 13 years in the pro league,” he added.

Intal started his PBA career when he was drafted by Air21 Express in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft. He then moved from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to B-Meg Llamados (now Magnolia Hotshots) and Fuel Masters.

Among the highlights of Intal’s PBA career was winning his lone PBA title with the Llamados in the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup. He was also tapped to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in Changsha.

In his final year with the Fuel Masters in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Intal averaged 5.5 points on 26-percent shooting, on top of 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.3 minutes.

“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,” Intal said.

“It has been the honor of my life to play basketball. From the bottom of my heart, again, thank you. #RocketOut,” the 6-foot-4 forward concluded./ASC, WDJ