It all starts with his jersey number...

This next person is one the very reason why I became a “Ginebra fan.” Why? Because he is my first addiction, he’s the reason why I became interested in PBA. It’s actually a long story, but to sum it up, Mark Caguioa is my “FIRST LOVE” in the Basketball realm. My Dad is a solid ginebra fan way back on his adolescent stage, as well as my mom. (hindi naman siguro kagulat-gulat na anak nila ako no?) I remember when I was 7 to 8 years old; my Dad is going home late because he watches the championship game of Ginebra. I don’t have any idea about Basketball that time; I thought it was a office work or something. Until my Mom goes abroad, my Dad is still watching Basketball games. I was in my first year high school then. Until one night on February 2004, Dad is watching PBA together with my Kuya and Kuya Ron (my cousin). I became curious about their business so I joined watching, it was the game 1 of the best-of-7 series between Talk and text and Brgy. Ginebra. As I continue watching the championship series, I had a crush on TNT’s point guard Jimmy Alapag. I found him cute and very nice. I remember, he was always bullied by the Ginebra guards because of his 3 point shot ability. At that time, I really hate Mark Caguioa. I don’t know his name but I just remember his jersey number, he really made my day worst every time I see him playing against Jimmy. Approaching the game 4 of the finals, Dad watches the game live and he wants us to go with him. Sabi ko nalang kay Daddy, ikamusta nya nalang ako kay Jimmy, baka kasi makita ko pa yung naka number 47 ng ginebra eh! Kuya and Kuya Ron watch the game together with Dad, they were cheering for Talk n’ text. Ginebra won the game and eventually won the series. It was their back2back All Filipino Title. On the championship night, I thought it was Talk n’ text who’ll win the game because I was cheering for them, I was very frustrated to see Jimmy looses. The highlight there was the interview of this man in Jersey number 47. “Sa mga talk n’ text fan jan, alam ko sa puso nyo.. Ginebra pa rin kayo” Mark stated. I really get irritated, tinanong ko nga si daddy eh.. “sino ba ung kagoya ba un? Sabi nya.. “ka-gi-wa”. So it all starts a frustrating interest. After the championship game, Ginebra had their victory party and as I expected it, Dad watches it on TV.

some of my Caguioa's Stuff.

As usual, ang yabang pa rin ni Mark! But I can see that they had so many supporters, Dad told me that they are the crowd’s favorite in the PBA, especially MC47 and his tandem Jayjay Helterbrand (hindi ko pa kilala nun si Jay kaya never mind lang ako sa mga kwento ng aking ama). I ask Dad to buy me poster of my favorite point guard Jimmy Alapag, he says yes, and promised to bring it the other day. The next morning, I woke up at my room with a “BIG” poster of Mark Caguioa. I was shocked! I don’t know if it’s a surprise for me, or my Dad buyed it for himself. I ask him why he bought it, said that’s the only poster he saw (lahat daw caguioa na, ewan ko kung may halong bias yun, pero malamang na meron!)

Until the next conference started again, suddenly I found myself liking Mark. Nag tataka si Kuya at si Kuya Ron kung bakit Ginebra na ako, at favorite ko pa si Mark na dati sobrang kinaiinisan ko. Until now, I really don’t know how it happens, siguro kasi dahil sa poster? O pwede rin dahil sa statement nya nung nag champion sila. All I know is, I enjoyed being his one of thousands or millions fans out there.

you'll always be my SPARK :)

Mark really changed me. Ang drama pakinggan pero totoo… I spent my time knowing him more through joining PBA forums, fans clubs, reading every article about him. I buy MC47 stuffs to show my support, my other friends called me Mrs. Caguioa. I really enjoyed my Fanatic Life… Talagang nirerecord ko pa ng bonggang bongga sa Cellphone ko ang mga interview nila Mark Caguioa. Adik ba? Ako yun!