MANILA – Even if he’s just given a year of contract extension, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings guard Mark Caguioa is non-committal on hanging his jersey after the end of the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season.
The eight-time PBA champion said that he will assess his body first at the end of the campaign before deciding whether it’s over for him or if he will sign a new deal with the kings.
“I still don’t know if this would be my final year,” the 40-year-old Caguioa said. “It really all depends on my body. I just don’t want to be here. I want to be here and help the team at the same time.”
“For myself, gusto kong gawing 20 years. Parang achievement mo na sa sarili mo ‘yun eh. After that, maybe I could call it quits,” the one time league Most Valuable Player awardee added.
A third-overall pick in the 2001 PBA draft, Caguioa has become the face of the Barangay Ginebra franchise throughout his career after Robert Jaworski, who embodied the “Never Say Die” spirit the team became known for, retired from basketball.
Heading into his 19th PBA season, Caguioa vowed to be more determined than ever to contribute for the Kings sans giant Gregory Slaughter.
Caguioa said: “We are practicing na wala siya doon and para masanay kami na wala kaming malaki. Mabuti na lang at offseason nangyari ‘yung decision niya. At least, makakapag-adjust pa kami.”/PN
