For over a decade, the Living Legend Robert Jaworski stood as the shining pillar of Barangay Ginebra’s immense popularity which stretched from grand mansions to humble slums.
And just a few weeks after the Gin Kings officially retired the number 7 jersey of Jaworski, the ballclub and the league welcomed the second coming of another Ginebra hero already known for his “Furious” ways in Mark Caguioa who was named the Philippine Basketball Association Season 37’s Most Valuable Player.
Interestingly, Caguioa, who joined the Gin Kings as a third overall draft pick in 2001, got his first MVP in the PBA the same age when Jaworski claimed his own in 1975 — at 32 years old.
“I am thankful to have this award as a Ginebra player is a very humbling and great experience. To receive this trophy, ibang klase talaga lalo na at nandyan ang mga Ginebra fans,” a visibly moved Caguioa said during the LEO awards, the league’s annual awards for player accomplishments for the season, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Also honored in the LEO awards were Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee as rookie of the year, his teammate Jeff Chan as most improved player and Powerade guard Jayvee Casio with the sportsmanship award.
Caguioa was named Best Player of the Conference in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cup that weighed heavily on his being chosen MVP over league scoring leader Gary David of Powerade.
Previously, he was the 2001 Rookie of the Year, was named either to the Mythical First or Second Teams five times and was part of four Ginebra champion teams.
He was also in the Philippine team that campaigned in the 2007 Jones Cup and Fiba-Asia championship.
Caguioa admitted during the press conference that he has mellowed down through the years ever since he returned a maverick of a 21-year-old to the country from the United States where he spent his adolescent years and played college ball at the Glendale Community College.
“There was a time that I was immature. But I grew up. I just prayed to stay healthy and just make the people happy and get the Ginebra fans back. I have faith in God. Ibang klase ang feeling, parang nawala ka sa sarili, nawala pagkatapang mo,” he added.
And for a player who nearly ended his career after dislocating his eyeball in a freak accident with James Yap in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinal round, it was also a humbling experience to be eventually recognized as the season’s best player.
“All these years, you just have to be humble and not be a loudmouth. Sa totoo lang, di ko to inisip, yun siguro nag-iba sa attitude ko. Not to think about it and just go out and play,” said Caguioa who had lost out at least five times for the MVP award since 2005.
In 2005, he yielded the MVP to teammate Eric Menk, then two years later, was nosed out by then Purefoods top gun James Yap because Ginebra did not make it to the Finals. The next year, it was Willie Miller’s turn to frustrate him after Caguioa chose to cut short a flourishing PBA season to join the national team.
In 2009, he was a close second to close friend, Jay Jay Helterbrand. Then in the 2011 season, Talk ‘N Text guard Jimmy Alapag became the obvious choice after the Tropang Texters had two titles to show for with Caguioa emerging as a distant second placer.
But now that he had the MVP trophy in his arms, Caguioa does not even have himself in mind.
“Iniisip ko, yung mga tao. Mahal ang ticket para makapanood, makapasok. Kailangang ipakita mo sa mga tao na nagbabayad just to watch us play. For 48 minutes, na mapasaya mo ang mga tao yun. Yun ang gusto ko ibigay sa kanila,” he said.
And while he would take the time to cherish the award, enough to share his bed, not with his girlfriend, but with the MVP trophy for a while, Caguioa quickly reflected that he would have wanted to be in the ongoing Finals between Rain or Shine and B-Meg for the Governors’ Cup title.
“This individual award is just for me. But if you win a championship, it’s what I try to build on. I am a team player and I would trade this (MVP trophy) for the championship,” he said.