Caguioa’s revitalized game now put to a test vs loaded Texters

He’s been running, hitting jumpers, making big plays, slashing his way to the basket and helping his team to win. No doubt, Mark Caguioa, Ginebra’s former top gun, is now back in his element. The six-foot guard has been a vital cog for the Gin Kings, who made their way back to the Finals after two years. In the recent semifinals series which the Gin Kings won over the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas Nationals, 3-1, Caguioa averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.8 steals per game. In the elimination round, he averaged 16 points per game and was even listed as No.9 in the Best Player of the Conference derby. But for the former Rookie of the Year awardee, his rejuvenated game is nothing but a mere footnote compared to TalK N Text, which is loaded at all fronts.

“They’re a very strong team, and I think mahihirapan talaga kami," said Caguioa, whose team will face the Texters in the best-of-seven Finals series of the Commisisoner's Cup starting Wednesday. Gone were the days when Caguioa could score in bunches, but his productivity was affected when he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for two years. Because of the serious injury, people were beginning to think that the player who once regarded as one of the big-time scorers the league has produced is all but “damaged goods." “When I suffered an injury, it was during those times that I became closer to God," said Caguioa. “I have several people to thank for and that include my Kuya Johnny Abarrientos and my agent, Danny Espiritu, who continued on believing in me." “But on the other hand, I thought that maybe I need those comments from the fans, critics and non-believers, which is why I did everything to get myself stronger mentally and physically." Caguioa’s name is almost synonymously mentioned in the same breath with JJ Helterbrand, who missed his team’s campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup due to an injury. Together, they are known as the PBA's 'Fast and Furious'. Does Caguioa felt bad that he played alongside Willie Miller for most part of the tournament and not with his buddy Helterbrand? “Willie is a great player and a good teammate. There are a lot of great talents in our backcourt. We made it this far without JJ and we will be happier as well if we did win this thing even without him," added Caguioa. Miller also dismissed rumors that he is not satisfied with his new role where he had to play limited minutes for the Gin Kings with Caguioa rediscovering his old form. “Maganda naman talaga nilalaro ni Mark and syempre, iba na yung role natin ngayon sa team," said Miller, a two-time Most Valuable Player, whose talent is now reduced to an off-the-bench player. “Lahat kami sa team, gusto manalo, kaya maski konti lang ang i-score ko or maski sinong player, as long as we’re winning, then kuntento kami ‘dun," he added. The backcourt match-up is indeed one of the most interesting things to look at in the Finals. Alaska coach Tim Cone, a Grand Slam mentor and winningest bench tactician among active coaches, believes the guard match-up will play a factor in the series. “I believe it’s going to come down to the guards. Which group of guards will dominate? Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes for Talk N Text versus Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa and Mike Cortez for Ginebra," said Cone, owner of 13 PBA championships. “Jimmy will have to guard either Willie or Mark through much of the series, so that should be a telling match-up," he added. For Caguioa, Alapag is the heart and soul of Talk N Text and it’s only a must to stop him. “If you stop Jimmy, you will also stop Talk N Text’s energy," said Caguioa. “We really have to drain his battery in the series." - GMA News