Mark Caguioa was among the notable names missing in the list of lineups released by the PBA ahead of the Season 47 opener this weekend.
Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua, though, clarified that the 42-year-old is still returning to the Barangay, although he didn’t say when in particular.
Caguioa is set to fly back home to the States later this week to attend to some personal matters.
“Si Mark Caguioa, wala muna siya sa roster dahil he needs to fix something,” Chua said during the pre-season press conference, Monday at the Conrad Manila Hotel in Pasay.
“Aalis siya by, I think, Wednesday or Thursday. May aayusin lang.”
Caguioa has been in and out of Ginebra’s lineup in the past few conferences. He didn’t play in Season 46 due to injuries.
But the 42-year-old remains a fixture in the games, and was there when the Kings ruled the Governors’ Cup for the fourth time in the last five seasons at the expense of Meralco in six games.
“Nakita niyo kahit wala siya sa roster noong nakaraan, nakikita niyo nasa likod ng bench, tumutulong, dahil mahal na mahal niya ang Ginebra,” said Chua.
Quite uncertain is Caguioa’s future, but the San Miguel Corporation sports director said that they will welcome the long-time Gin King with open arms whenever he returns.
And whatever his decision is will be respected by the ball club.
“Alam niyo naman si Mark, napakabait na tao niyan. Kaya kami, anytime na gusto niya bumalik to play or to be a [part of the] coaching staff, wine-welcome namin siya,” said Chua.
“Kung kailan niya gusto, kung anong oras niya gusto, kung anong buwan, kung anong taon niya, very welcome siya sa Ginebra anytime.”
