As Ginebra’s veteran leader, Mark Caguioa looks to example of mentor Bal David

As Ginebra’s veteran leader, Mark Caguioa looks to example of mentor Bal David
Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV · Friday, June 22, 2012 · 9:04 pm


AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Even Mark Caguioa couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea of him being the veteran leader for his younger teammates. The Barangay Ginebra superstar still remembers when he was the young, reckless “Blonde Bomber” who captured the fans’ imagination, but also drove coaches and teammates crazy with his shot selection.

“Noon, sobrang wild ako talaga. Tira lang ako ng tira,” Caguioa told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. Today, he finds himself having to play the part of the mature leader, especially as youngsters like Dylan Ababou, Allein Maliksi, and even Rico Maierhofer are beginning to get more playing time.

“Kahit matagal na ako sa Ginebra, medyo nag-a-adjust pa rin ako sa role na pagiging veteran leader,” he admitted. “Pero kailangan talaga na maging vocal ako.”

He credits the early mentorship of former teammate Bal David, who took Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand under his wing during their early years, for this perspective.

“Si Bal David, siya talaga ang nagturo sa amin ni Jayjay kung paano maglaro,” said Caguioa. Today, it’s David’s example that he wants to emulate as he takes on the leadership mantle.

Caguioa notes that he’s lucky that his younger teammates aren’t as stubborn as he was during his younger years. “Mababait sila, nakikinig sila sa sinasabi ko. Galing na rin naman ako sa mga championship. Eh ako noon…” he smiles.

With experience, Caguioa could only laugh at how he used to behave. “Ngayong nandito na ako, ‘pag naalala ko yung mga veterans noon, naiisip ko, tama sila sa sinasabi nila sa akin.”

David, who was in attendance to witness Caguioa lift Ginebra to victory over Alaska on Wednesday night, said he wasn’t surprised that Caguioa turned out to be as big a star as he did. He already saw glimpses of Caguioa’s brilliance even during the shooting guard’s younger years.

“Nanghihinayang ako na hindi kami matagal na nagkasama,” said David, whose career was cut short because of injuries before Caguioa broke out into a true superstar. “Ang papel ko sa kanila noon, parang kuya.”

For Caguioa, David is the best person to emulate. After all, he said no one embodied the Ginebra spirit better than David. “Kapag sinabi mong Ginebra, siyempre andyan si Jawo. Pero iisipin mo rin kaagad, si Bal David. Kasi ang laro niya, pang-barangay talaga. Tapos ‘di ba, isang team lang siya buong career.”

But for David, Caguioa has already exceeded his achievements as a Ginebra player. “Para sa akin, next to Jaworski, Caguioa is the next biggest star ng Ginebra.”

Source: Interaksyon.com

Kakatayo naman ng balahibo ito! Bal David - pinaka unang idolo ko sa basketball siya din ang dahilan kung bakit nahilig ako ng husto sa basketball.

how i wish we could see bal david and mc47 play..... again. :)

yan ang pinaka mahalagang legacy na iniwan ni tatang

di ma bubuwag