Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE – Brothers for life, Mark Caguioa is paying Jayjay Helterbrand the ultimate tribute.
The 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player is momentarily shelving his famed number 47 jersey as he opted to wear jersey number 13 for the entirety of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.
“I’m gonna be wearing this for one conference as a tribute to @jayhelterbrand. Merry Xmas to everyone,” Caguioa posted on his Instagram account (@47markcaguioa).
The two guards were teammates since the Helterbrand entered the league in 2001 and played for Ginebra until last season.
Both won an MVP award while winning six titles, the last being the 2017 Governors’ Cup.
Helterbrand retired after the 2017 season, leaving Caguioa without his backcourt partner for the first time in 17 years.
In his first game wearing his longtime partner’s jersey number, Caguioa poured seven points, on a 3-of-5 shooting from the field, alongside six rebounds and an assist in 21 minutes of action.