Ginebra’s Caguioa saddened by trades, but knows it’s for title shot

By: Celest R. Flores - 11 years ago

Mark Caguioa (L) and Emman Monfort. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Ginebra star Mark Caguioa said he was saddened by recent trades, but knows it’s only aimed at getting the PBA’s crowd favorite back into championship contention.

Caguioa took his thoughts to Twitter Thursday night, just after third-stringer guard Rob Labagala was traded away to Barako in exchange for sophomore point Emman Monfort.

“Rob Labagala we will miss you. Just don’t forget my cupcakes,” Caguioa (@officialMC47) tweeted.

Later on that night, Caguioa shared how close the team has gotten.

“If anyone watches our practice pag pinanuod mo yung ibang team. Ibang iba yung amin [ours is really different if you watch the practices of other teams]. We’re so close to each other, we even sit all together, we eat together, laugh together,” Caguioa said.

“Kaya minsan nakakalungkot pag me na tetrade talaga [That’s why sometimes it’s really saddening when someone gets traded.]”

Two weeks ago, the Kings also traded veteran Kerby Raymundo to Meralco for Jay-R Reyes, to which Caguioa reacted: “Man this sucks I was just talking to Kerby this morning. Kerby is a great person to be around with I’m gonna miss this dude.”

But Caguioa, one of the only two players remaining in Ginebra’s roster after more than a decade, admits that he and the other players “all understand that part [of the trade].”

“Management is doing whatever it takes for all the millions and millions of fans of GINEBRA to be champions. [Get The Throne Back],” Caguioa also said.

The Kings’ last taste of a finals stint was in the recently concluded 2012-2013 PBA season, where they reached the finals of the All-Filipino Cup but ultimately lost to Alaska for the crown. Their last championship, though, was back to the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

With Ginebra holding the number one pick in the upcoming rookie draft, the team bolsters its chance to make a deep title run anew as the league opens a new season on November 17.

The Kings are expected to tap seven-foot center Greg Slaughter to shore up their front court.