GREG Slaughter was about to speak up at the end Barangay Ginebra’s practice ahead of Game Six of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against San Mig Coffee when Mark Caguioa passed by and warned his rookie teammate about his experience with the media.
“Remember that incident? Since then, I don’t even do interviews no more,” the Ginebra superstar told the Kings slotman without elaborating.
And like a good soldier, Slaughter clammed up, although politely.
“Have to follow my captain. Next time, man,” the 6-11 giant out of Ateneo said with a smile.
So it’s not only LA Tenorio from the Ginebra camp who has made himself scarce to the media. Caguioa has likewise refused to grant interviews since the playoffs of the all-Filipino conference started.
Some team insiders said Caguioa and some players have been issued a 'gag order' by management since a story (not on Spin.ph) nearly caused friction among Ginebra's players. But perhaps the 'silent treatment' could also be the 34-year-old Caguioa's way of letting his game do the talking.
If that is the case, fans can expect an explosive Caguioa in Game Six or, in the event of a Ginebra victory on Monday night, a winner-take-all Game Seven.
Over the last seven games since Ginebra entered the playoffs as the top seed, the 'Spark' has averaged 11 points on a poor 38.9-percent shooting from the field and 72.2-percent from the freethrow line, along with four rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 27.6 minutes.
Caguioa has scored in double figures in three of six games, with his best outing coming in Game Three of the semifinals against San Mig where he registered 21 points and made 8-of-14 shots from the field, on top of eight boards, five assists, and one steal in 37 minutes of play.
A few more games like that and Caguioa's silence may prove golden for Ginebra.
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