Caguioa admits he's yet to recover from 'psychological trauma' after knee injury

MARK Caguioa is back to full fitness, but there's just one problem.

The Barangay Ginebra superstar admits the challenge for him right now is trying to get over the lingering 'psychological trauma' caused by the MCL injury that kept him out of the crucial stages of the last Commissioner's Cup.

“I wouldn’t say 100 percent na ako. Nakakalaro ako (ng maayos) pero ilang ako eh,” said Caguioa on Thursday. “For sure, 'yung mga nagkaroon ng MCL injury dati will agree na may mental aspect eh. Parang natatakot ako na baka ma-injure ulit

“Kailangan talaga I help myself na isiping okay na siya. Kasi doble 'yung ingat ko ngayon eh. At the back of my mind, may takot na ma-re-injure, parang ganun,” added the 2001 rookie of the year winner.

In a tune-up match against Air 21 Express on Wednesday, Caguioa only managed to chip in six points in a performance unlikely for the team’s top scorer.

But the Mandaluyong-born cager is confident that he can get over the problem before the season-ending Governors Cup which kicks off on August 14.

“Yung mga pre-conference games lang naman 'yan. Doon lang ako talaga medyo I will take it easy, syempre ayokong ipuwersa,” he said while assuring that there’s no more stinging pain on his left knee.

“Pero gusto ko talaga makabalik sa mismong game. Doon ko gusto sukatin ang knees ko,” added Caguioa.

Asked if he can pick up where left off after averaging a league-best 22.2 points to go with 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists early in the Commissioner’s Cup, Caguioa said he prefers to take it slow.

“I’m not looking forward to that. Hopefully, I just want the team to return to the finals again, that’s where we want to pick things up hopefully,” Caguioa said.

“Hindi na ako rusty, mukhang okay na ako. Sana makabalik agad sa kundisyon. That’s the best way I can help the team for now.

“Maiksi itong conference ngayon. Nine games lang ang eliminations kaya kailangang one of the top four teams kami para mas maganda ang chance,” he said.