SAN ANTONIO — It was life or death for Anthony Medrano when deciding which Spurs hat to wear at the game.

“We had the Duncan era, right. We had the championship eras, we had the Ginobili era,” Medrano said before grabbing a vintage hat. “We had the old-school. Look at this — the down-and-dirty era.” 

This Spurs season marks a new era. 

“The Wemby era is going to happen,” Medrano said. 

That’s Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' No. 1 draft pick who has the world watching him. Wembanyama even has mariachis like Medrano writing songs about him.  

"Let’s go baby, Wembanyama, Wembanyama, Wembanyama,” Medrano said. 

You see, Medrano is a part of the legendary Mariachis Campanas de America. 

“You know what, I’ve been a fan for a long time, I’ve been a part of San Antonio for a very long time,” he said. “Here’s a little bit of my history.” 

A history like that of the Spurs, dating back five decades. The relationship this team has with the city’s Mexican Americans is unbreakable. 

“Our culture of dancing and having fun and partying and fiesta, and then the excitement of a Spurs game,” Medrano said. 

Even excitement for the draft. The Spurs is the only major professional sports team this city has, so drafting Wemby was like adopting a sobrino, a nephew. 

Medrano shouted like a proud Tio (uncle) while Wembanyama was warming up. 

“Wemby!” Medrano said. 

For Medrano this Wemby era wasn’t by sheer luck; he believes it was destiny. 

“The new fiesta is beginning, party time in San Antonio, party time with the Spurs,” Medrano said. “Go Spurs go, Wembanyama, Wembanyama, Wembanyama.”