Barangay Ginebra superstar Mark Caguioa was named the PBA’s Most
Valuable Player for 2011-12, beating Powerade’s Gary David, B-MEG’s
James Yap, and Petron’s Arwind Santos for the league’s top individual
honor.
Caguioa, the 2001 Rookie of the Year, won two Best Player of the
Conference awards this season, averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and
2.3 assists in 41 games for the Gin Kings. In a fateful coincidence, Caguioa won the award at 32 years old, the
same age Ginebra legend Robert Jaworski won MVP in 1978. Earlier this
month, Jaworski was feted by the team in a jersey retirement ceremony,
where he presented a token to Caguioa in a symbolic passing of the
torch. In his speech, Caguioa saved his biggest thanks for Ginebra fans. “Sa
inyong sigawan, tilian, at palakpakan, doon ako kumukuha ng
inspirasyon,” he said.
“The people wanted this award more than me, so this one’s for them.” Mark Caguioa waited 11 years before finally winning the Most Valuable
Player award, and he dedicates it to people who never left his side. “I’d like to go out playing in front of the crowd and give them a
total treat. Mahal ang ticket. Naglalaro kami not because were being
paid by our teams, but we have to show something to the people who paid
to watch good games,” said Caguioa. “Maybe, God did something for me to change my approach towards
basketball and the people. I got injured in the 2008-09 season, but the
people continued to support me. So when I got better again and got a new
lease in life, I vowed to change, pray more and leave everything to
God,” said Caguioa Prior to the season, Caguioa had the reputation of being one of the best players to not win MVP. “It was worth the wait,” he said, adding that his approach toward the
MVP award has changed. “I was also immature and was seeking the award
when I was still young and healthy. “[But this year] I didn’t aspire for this award, yet it was given to me.” Caguioa suffered a scary eye injury earlier this year, but returned
despite the threat to his career. He led Ginebra to within a game of the
finals in the season-ending Governors’ Cup. “It’s worth it playing even with an eye injury,” said Caguioa. “I
just prayed a lot and left everything to God. God and the people who
continuously supported me and Barangay Ginebra, umulan man o umaraw,
sila ang inspirasyon ko.” Moments after winning the MVP award, Caguioa said he doesn’t want to rest on his laurels. “There’s a lot of pressure for me next season,” said Caguioa.
“Because the MVP is now in my hands, I have to train harder. I don’t
want to feel the same experience of former MVPs na after manalo, biglang
nawala na.”
Lee’s teammate, Jeff Chan, took home individual hardware as well, winning the Most Improved Player award, while Casio won the Sportsmanship Award.
Caguioa, David, Yap, Santos, and Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text composed the league’s First Mythical Team, while Lee, Chan, Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro of Rain or Shine, Sonny Thoss of Alaska were named to the Second Mythical Team.
Marc Pingris of B-MEG, Doug Kramer of Barako Bull, Arwind Santos, Jireh Ibanes of Rain or Shine, and Ryan Reyes of Talk ‘N Text were named to the All-Defensive Team.
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