Unselfish Caguioa sees Kings’ bright future from the bench

MANILA, Philippines – Mark Caguioa watched from the bench in the second half as the Brgy. Ginebra Kings overcame a poor start to trounce Governors’ Cup champion San Mig Coffee Mixers, 86-69, in the season opener last Sunday.

The former league MVP struggled for only two points going 0-for-4 from the field and hit only 2-of-4 from the line in 23 minutes as a starter.  

But Caguioa, who is coming off a knee injury he sustained in their last game in the Governors’ Cup, did not sulk about the benching but, instead, was happy to step aside and see the team win.

“We played great in the second half as soon as they took me out,” Caguioa told Philstar.com.

It didn’t help that the 34-year old former MVP faced the team that usually gives him the hardest time on the floor.

“I guess when I’m in there, they (Mixers) were ready. We were predictable,” Caguioa said.

 â€œIt felt good that for the longest time, I was usually there when this team plays good. Looking from the outside, nakikita ko yung what we’re supposed to do and what I’m supposed to do,” Caguioa added.

Brgy. Ginebra coach Ato Agustin was quick to dismiss Caguioa’s second half benching as merely an off-shoot of their game adjustment.

“Kasi right now, kahit sino ang ipasok diyan basta maganda ang laro, makakalaro.  Kapag hindi, di muna lalaro. Yun ang commitment namin eh, team muna bago ang pansarili,” Agustin told Philstar.com.

Dylan Ababou, who was buried under the loaded wing rotation, picked up his slack and scored 16 points in 17 minutes to provide the spark that he usually provides for the Kings.

Ababou was quick to point out to Caguioa’s leadership as his inspiration.

“Nagpakita talaga ng leadership si Mark ngayon. Ipinakita niya na unselfish leader siya. He’s a role model to us na gagawin niya ang lahat sa ikabubuti ng team maski maglaro man o hindi.” Ababou said.

It was not only Ababou, who sparkled in their season debut, but there was also LA Tenorio, who came close to winning the MVP award last season and showed that he’s capable of leading the team when Caguioa was out with an MCL injury last season.

Tenorio took from where he left off finishing with a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists.

“Ganyan naman talaga si Mark. Kapag alam niyang hindi maganda ang nilalaro niya, nag-gi-give way talaga siya. Hindi niya pinilipilit,” Tenorio said.

As Caguioa was reduced to being cheer leader on the bench, he saw that the team is set for the future and hopes to win a couple of championships more before passing the baton.  

“The future of Ginebra is very bright. Andami naming bago ngayon eh and it’s been a long time since we won our first game. This team needs to be humble and keep winning games. Let’s not take this win, 17-point win into our heads,” Caguioa said.  

While the future looks bright, Caguioa said it won’t be easy as it looked in the second half of their huge opening day win.

 â€œThere’ll be games na mahihirapan ka talaga and we’ll see how we adjust,” Caguioa said.