'Spectator' Caguioa says Sunday fightback provides a glimpse of Ginebra's future

A flu-stricken Mark Caguioa enjoyed the view from the bench on Sunday when rising stars Japeth Aguilar, Mac Baracael, and Eman Monfort led Ginebra past Talk 'N Text. Jerome Ascano

FROM where he sat on the bench on Sunday night, an ailing Mark Caguioa said he saw a glimpse of Barangay Ginebra's future unfold before him.

With Caguioa and fellow superstar LA Tenorio playing limited minutes because of the flu, Japeth Aguilar, Mac Baracael and Eman Monfort led a fourth-quarter fightback from the depths of an 11-point deficit that enabled Ginebra to turn the tables on Talk 'N Text, 97-95.

Baracael hit one big shot after another off the bench, Monfort succeeded in slowing down Talk 'N Text sparkplug Jason Castro, while Aguilar made the go-ahead three-pointer as well as the block on Ranidel de Ocampo that put away Ginebra's fourth win in five games this season.

No one enjoyed the show more than Caguioa, who played just 13 minutes and went 1-of-8 from the floor having been slowed down by a flu since Friday.

“Grabe, usually I’m always inside there (the court) kapag may ganyang laro, but it’s so nice to see the guys, the younger players playing like that," said Caguioa. "Parang ang sarap panuorin ang future ng Ginebra.”

The one-time PBA MVP said he had the flu since Friday, decided to skip Saturday’s practice, but suited up and played briefly even if he was still suffering from the chills.

“Friday pa ako nagkasakit nung madaling araw, then nakapag-practice pa ako,” said the Ginebra star. “Akala ko I’m just gonna sweat it and be okay, usually yun ang ginagawa ko. Eh the next day, di ako nakapractice, so I think it’s flu.”

Caguioa, however, was happy to see Ginebra bailed out by rising stars like Aguilar, who he said played like he has something to prove against former team Talk 'N Text.

“I think he wants to prove something din, mas magaling siyang player ngayon kesa dati,” noted the Glendale Community College product of Aguilar.

“For me, one of the best games he had was this game against Talk ‘N Text sa career niya, and he played it here against the team he played for, he wants to prove na parang nagkakamali kayo,” he added.

Later, Caguioa capped the evening with a tweet. It read:

"This is prolly one of the best game ive watched from the sideline #WOW#SARAPMATULOG#ILOVEUJAPETH."