Last February 16, at 4:50 in the morning, I was still awake. As it turned out, Mark Caguioa was too. I blame basketball for my semi-insomnia. Once I start reading basketball-related articles or watch basketball-inspired videos on my timeline, especially when the house becomes more peaceful than a library, it’s hard to stop. I wondered: was Mark awake because of basketball too?
I want to believe that Mark was awake because of basketball, because of Ginebra, because his team has yet to win a game, because of his insane desire to succeed. I had an opportunity to ask him about it last February 17 right before their game against Petron. I decided not to. I didn’t want to be disappointed if he said he couldn’t sleep because of something else.
To be good at anything, one has to be a little obsessive about it. It’s what drives above-average individuals. Mark never comes across as average. Hairstyles. Effort. Compulsion. I cling to the idea that Ginebra’s alpha male is up at 4:50 in the morning because that is what crazy competitors do. When the team is 0-3 in the Commissioner’s Cup, guys like Caguioa have little reason to sleep like hibernating bears.
I’m curious. Is Denzel Bowles having sleepless nights as well? San Mig Coffee is winless after two games. Exit Matt Rogers. Enter Bowles. Bowles arrives like an answered prayer. Fans wanted him to return. They pleaded, sent him tweets, would have sent him flowers if they could. Fortunately, they no longer need to ask. Tim Cone’s monster of an import is officially back. Like General Douglas McArthur, Denzel has returned.
I worry a little. Denzel has become a sort of myth. When you make two of the most mind-numbing free throws in the history of all free throws, you naturally become a heroic figure. Dapat lang. Well-deserved. But there is pressure to match the Bowles who will play in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup and the Bowles who resides in the selective memories of eager fans.
For San Mig Coffee to start winning games, 2012 Denzel and 2013 Denzel should at least match. If 2013 Denzel is even better than 2012 Denzel, that’s even better. There are, however, no guarantees. Basketball is funny that way. His comeback doesn’t automatically reverse San Mig Coffee’s 0-2 start. But it makes the team’s journey back to relevance more compelling.
San Mig Coffee meets Rain or Shine on February 22. It will be the first game of Denzel Bowles in the tournament. Denzel will go up against 7-3 Bruno Sundov. Denzel will be reacquainted with Extra Rice Incorporated. The Monster Bowles Comeback Tour is about to begin.
Ginebra faces undefeated Alaska on February 23. It will be the first game of new Ginebra import Vernon Macklin. Is Macklin the answer to Ginebra’s prayers? Caguioa knows underperforming imports in an “unlimited height” conference can quickly become excess baggage of unlimited weight. Like frustration, anticipation can keep competitors from both Ginebra and San Mig Coffee wide-awake. - AMD, GMA News
Mark Caguioa (L) has to be losing sleep over Ginebra's 0-3 start. KC Cruz
To be good at anything, one has to be a little obsessive about it. It’s what drives above-average individuals. Mark never comes across as average. Hairstyles. Effort. Compulsion. I cling to the idea that Ginebra’s alpha male is up at 4:50 in the morning because that is what crazy competitors do. When the team is 0-3 in the Commissioner’s Cup, guys like Caguioa have little reason to sleep like hibernating bears.
I’m curious. Is Denzel Bowles having sleepless nights as well? San Mig Coffee is winless after two games. Exit Matt Rogers. Enter Bowles. Bowles arrives like an answered prayer. Fans wanted him to return. They pleaded, sent him tweets, would have sent him flowers if they could. Fortunately, they no longer need to ask. Tim Cone’s monster of an import is officially back. Like General Douglas McArthur, Denzel has returned.
I worry a little. Denzel has become a sort of myth. When you make two of the most mind-numbing free throws in the history of all free throws, you naturally become a heroic figure. Dapat lang. Well-deserved. But there is pressure to match the Bowles who will play in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup and the Bowles who resides in the selective memories of eager fans.
Can Denzel Bowles (L) be just as good as he was a year ago?. KC Cruz
San Mig Coffee meets Rain or Shine on February 22. It will be the first game of Denzel Bowles in the tournament. Denzel will go up against 7-3 Bruno Sundov. Denzel will be reacquainted with Extra Rice Incorporated. The Monster Bowles Comeback Tour is about to begin.
Ginebra faces undefeated Alaska on February 23. It will be the first game of new Ginebra import Vernon Macklin. Is Macklin the answer to Ginebra’s prayers? Caguioa knows underperforming imports in an “unlimited height” conference can quickly become excess baggage of unlimited weight. Like frustration, anticipation can keep competitors from both Ginebra and San Mig Coffee wide-awake. - AMD, GMA News
Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/295668/sports/opinion/the-final-score-sleepless-nights-ahead-for-ginebra-and-san-mig-coffee
