At 40, Mark Caguioa strong and passionate as 18 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Among the league’s elder statesmen set to turn 40 this year, Ginebra player Mark Caguioa insists he still feels what he felt when he joined the league in 2001 as the third overall pick.

And so he doesn’t feel retiring anytime soon.

“It’s hard for me

to go away from the game because I still have that competitiveness in me. Hindi nawawala. I still have the same feeling when I came to the league,” said Caguioa.

“It’s hard thinking about it (retiring) as you’ve been doing it all your life. I still feel good. Players retiring complain of masakit ang katawan nila pag gising sa umaga. Ako naman, hindi ganoon. Alaga ko ang katawan ko. Siguro pag dumating ang araw na yon, I will sing a different tune,” Caguioa added.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone attests to the fire and competitiveness that Caguioa still has got in him.

“He’ll dictate his own terms,” said Cone.

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The Commissioner’s Office has resolved that Bobby Ray Parks can stay with Alab Pilipinas for the duration of the current ABL season but he’s to join Blackwater by the second conference of PBA Season 44.

“There were many similar cases before including those of Alvin Patrimonio, Don Allado and Christian Standhardinger,” said PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza.

“But Parks can’t say he’s playing with Alab for two years. He’s to join Blackwater in the next conference, or he’ll sit out the next seven years before being allowed to join the PBA,” said Mendoza, citing the new PBA rule.

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Is Terrence Romeo foreseeing a first championship now that he’s with San Miguel Beer?

“It’s hard to tell. I will just do what is asked me to do by our coach. I will do what I can do to be able to help the team,” said Romeo.