To fight through, or hang it up?
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone revealed that Mark Caguioa sits at a crossroads. His recovery from a calf injury has been far from ideal – the reason why he has yet to join the team in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“Mark is kinda deciding what he wants to do,” he said on Friday night moments after the Gin Kings’ skid-ending 109-100 win over Blackwater at the Ynares Center. “He’s had a chronic injury that he’s having a hard time getting off.
“He’s been doing his own rehab on it – he’s not exactly sure when he wants to come back, if he wants to come back; if he’s gonna fight through this new injury of his.”
Cone disclosed last December that the 2012 MVP strained his calf in practice days prior to their conference opener. Many expected him to suit up soon granted that there wouldn’t be any setback.
Unfortunately, the 42-year-old has yet to recover. Not even the league’s lengthy break that lasted for over a month due to the spike of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country was of help in getting rid of the injury.
The long-time face of the franchise has missed quite a significant amount of time in the past few conferences. The last time he played was on November 20, 2020, in Game Two of the Philippine Cup semis versus Meralco in Clark.
Yes. The 20-year veteran hasn’t played for that long.
Definitely, Cone and the Barangay are hoping for the best for Caguioa, whom he said remains a valuable asset due to his leadership. But then again, the decision whether to come back or not rests solely on him.
“We’re hoping for the best for Mark,” he said.
“But right now, that’s really his call. It’s not our call.”
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