In sparkling return, Mark Caguioa makes the glasses look good

In sparkling return, Mark Caguioa makes the glasses look good
Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · Wednesday, May 23, 2012 · 8:36 pm


PBA/Nuki Sabio

Midway through the first period of Barangay Ginebra’s game against Air 21, a familiar figure walked to the scorer’s table. Except for a pair of protective eyewear, the Gin Kings faithful saw the same old Mark Caguioa back on the court after a scary bout with an eye injury, and he was there ahead of schedule.

“He’s a fighter,” said Ginebra assistant coach Caidic. “I wasn’t surprised to see him out there even though hindi pa siya 100-percent fit. But his mere presence out there gives us inspiration.”

He made his first shot –- a three-pointer –- late in the first period, which set the tone for his stellar game. He scored 15 points in the most efficient manner, missing just one shot all night.

“My first shot went in and it felt good. It made me think na magiging OK yung takbo the whole game,” said Caguioa. “It feels good to be back. Wala lang sa kundisyon, but after a few more games, I will be fine, although I’m still feeling a little bit of headache.”

Caguioa started practicing with the team just a week and a half ago, and is the first to admit that he’s not yet in tiptop shape.

“I think nasa 80-percent pa lang ako ng conditioning,” he added.

Eyewear adjustment

With the way he played, it would seem that he hasn’t been bothered by his eye injury, but Caguioa said that he’s still learning to adjust to playing with the protective eyewear — a stylish pair of glasses that are in vogue in the NBA for players such as Amare Stoudemire, who wears it permanently, and Caron Butler and Dwyane Wade, who wore them for several games.

“At first, OK siya. Pero kapag pinapawisan na, that started bugging me. Nakakatakot naman na hindi isuot, baka masundot ulit. I don’t want to have that same feeling like last time,” said Caguioa, who said he tried wearing old-school eyewear, like those worn by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone.

“I tried goggles, but that has given me headache,” said Caguioa.

Reason for winning

Caidic credited Caguioa’s return for raising the morale of Ginebra, allowing the Gin Kings to cruise to a 103-85 victory over the Express.

“Ang laki ng impact ng paglalaro niya. People were right when they said that the reason why we lost to B-MEG in the semifinals was because of Caguioa’s absence. He’s the heart and soul of the team, that’s why people love him,” said Caidic, who drafted Caguioa when he was coaching Ginebra in 2001.

Teammate KG Canaleta agreed with Caidic’s assertion.

“Kitang-kita mo na nangangapa siya, pero hindi na importante yun. Mas importante yung presence niya because he inspires the team,” said Canaleta.

MVP candidate

With his return, Caguioa remains a strong candidate to win Most Valuable Player honors at season’s end, especially if Ginebra continues its winning ways. He was named Best Player of the Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup, before missing the semifinals because of his eye injury.

But for Caguioa, the award is the farthest thing from his mind upon his return.

“I’m not after the MVP or any other award. Kapag tumatanda ka na sa game, all you want is to be healthy,” he said.


Source: Interaksyon.com

bagay na bagay sa kanya yung goggles!

MC for MVP parin!

mc47

MVP candidate

With his return, Caguioa remains a
strong candidate to win Most Valuable Player honors at season’s end,
especially if Ginebra continues its winning ways. He was named Best
Player of the Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup