'The Spark's' top priority: Championships all that matter for Caguioa at tailend of great career

Reigning league MVP Mark Caguioa shares a light moment in practice with new coach Alfrancis Chua as they look forward to a championship in the Commissioner's Cup. Jerome Ascano



He is Barangay Ginebra’s certified superstar, but from hereon Mark Caguioa is no longer about Mark Caguioa.

Showing the maturity he has gained in several seasons as one of the PBA's biggest draws, Caguioa said he is no longer overly concerned with statistics and scoring titles, or too engrossed with playing time and stature, or motivated by awards.

Instead, from hereon it's all about championships for 'The Spark.'

“I’m getting old, and all I want now is to be in the Finals and play for the championship … That’s all we want as a team,” said the reigning league MVP and three-time scoring champion.

“I am thinking about that, I could be Mark Caguioa but with no championship and we can’t even go to the Finals … What’s that? That’s nothing," he added.

The Ginebra top gun has won four championships in his career, all with the league's most popular team, but none since the Kings' success in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

His biggest fear, he said, is no longer winning a championship for the team's legion of fans.

“I know the fans been wanting us to be in the finals and lagi namin silang nabibigo, so we're gonna keep trying our best. Kung ano ang ipinapakita nila sa amin na suporta, we should also give the same," he said.

To achieve that, the 33-year-old Caguioa said he is ready to play any role for the team - or be a reliever if need be.

“It’s doesn’t matter if I won’t be the key piece (of the team). I could be sitting on the bench, it doesn’t matter. Just as long as this team is winning and always fighting for the championship, okay lang," the Kings star said.

Caguioa and the Kings are looking at a new beginning in the Commissioner's Cup, with Alfrancis Chua taking over as head coach from Siot Tanquingcen and Herbert Hill playing the role of import.

The tournament, Caguioa swore, will be about winning a championship for the fans.

“It (coming conference) is not just for me, it’s not for my teammates as well … it’s for the fans," he said.