Caguioa to Chua: 'Please reconsider'

MANILA, Philippines – The life of the party was sucked out of the Brgy. Ginebra Kings.

That's how the Kings' outspoken leader Mark Caguioa described life without coach Alfrancis Chua.

"It's not the same without coach Al," Caguioa told Philstar.com after practice on Wednesday. "Kung makikita mo ang practice medyo tahimik kasi siya lang ang maingay dito (If you see in the practice, it’s kind of quiet because he’s the only one making noise here)."

For Caguioa, who has been the heart and soul of this team for the last 12 years, it felt like half of that went away with Chua. That's how Caguioa values his mentor in the last conference as the true leader of Ginebra.

Caguioa said he has developed a special connection with his coach even just for a short period of time.

"He's a good motivator. He's not just a coach to us but also a friend," Caguioa said. "Yun yung nawawala sa amin ngayon (That’s what we’re missing right now)."

Caguioa and Chua share the same passion for the game.

Intense. Emotional. Outspoken.

But two days since Chua personally said goodbye to the team for “personal reasons”, Caguioa has yet to speak to him.

"It's still fresh that's why medyo down pa ang morale ng team. We're  trying na huwag muna isipin but ang hirap. I'm still bothered," Caguioa admitted.

The gloomy weather served as a backdrop to Caguioa and the Kings, who were emotionally drained as they learned that Chua has resigned with finality.

Team governor and current PBA chairman Robert Non huddled the team right after a light practice presided by new assistant coaches Ato Agustin and Jorge Gallent together with Chua's old deputies Art dela Cruz and Freddie Abuda.

"I can't really say anything but nag-resign talaga si Coach Al and that's final," said Caguioa, careful not to spill too much details of their private team meeting.

Though shocked and saddened by Chua's sudden resignation, the reigning MVP admires the ponytailed mentor for what he did.

"I'm glad coach Al came in and voiced out yung feelings niya and ako rin personally na 'there's no way a team can win a championship or even go to the finals having different coaches, different players'. Syempre it starts with chemistry and bonding," Caguioa said.

"Yung ginawa ni coach Al, pinaglaban niya kung ano ang tama. That's him. He's the leader of this team and even up to now. You can't say na iniwanan niya kami. He did this for us," Caguioa added.

That gutsy move by Chua earned him Caguioa's highest respect.

"Out of respect to the other coaches and players, I admire him for that. He has to be one of my idols here in the PBA," Caguioa said.

Chua started as team consultant for Ginebra last year. Being the fresh eye inside but was looking from afar, he sensed what was lacking and immediately worked on that when he took over as the new head coach before the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The Kings' rise from a 0-4 start all the way to the finals even after losing Caguioa to injury in the midst of that Cinderella run was a testament to the work and more importantly, the heart, that Chua put in this team in so short period of time.

"He brought us together," Caguioa said.  "Maski wala siya ngayon dito, we continue to do what he taught us – stay on one side, eat together and try to make our practice fun."

But with one month to go before the season-ending conference, the Kings are still at a lost and trying to cope with his loss.

Caguioa is still hoping against hope that Chua comes back and finish what he started.

"Please reconsider. Come back and be with us just like you said 'We are One'," Caguioa pleaded to Chua. "Siya ang nagpasimula nung motto na yun that comes along with the never-say-die spirit."

"Out of respect kay coach Al, I hope he thinks about it and walks into this gym again. Kung hindi, pupuntahan namin siya sa bahay niya (If not, we will visit him at his home)," he added.