Will Caguioa Run Naked Along The Boulevard?

THE defending champion Barangay Ginebra Kings may soon raise the white flag and Mark Caguioa’s pants might go down with it!

OK, so the PBA is not even halfway through the classification round but the Kings is visibly impaired having lost Romel Adducul, Andy Seigle and Rodney Santos to various injuries. Eric Menk may soon join the bandwagon as he’s still suffering from bone spurs in his ankle. Fate seems inevitable. These four guys are vital in Siot Tanguincen’s rotation. Without them, Ginebra’s bench looks a box of spare parts. The Kings and the throne “might” soon be going down.

So, we can’t help but go back to that fateful Sunday afternoon when Caguioa quipped on national television that he will run naked along Shaw Boulevard shall the Kings fail to win yet another championship.

Will he do it?

No, I don’t think he would for 3 reasons:

First, he was just kidding for Pete’s sake when he said that! He didn’t mean it. Besides, he’s not the first person in the world who ever joked around like that. So what’s the fuzz all about? Come on people, where’s your sense of humor?

Second, even if he meant what he said, he’d have an alibi to excuse himself from running along the national road with his dingdong. He can always say that he was just goofing around to rev up his teammates because they are the defending champions of the Philippine Cup. Or say that he was very confident at that moment because Menk and company was healthy! He could even fault ABC for broadcasting his wisecrack like a Bible verse! Pretty convenient, isn’t it?

Lastly, let’s get realistic here; even if he’s a man of his words, do you really think he’ll be allowed to do it by, say the City of Mandaluyong for example? No, simply because anyone who decides to sprint in public wearing only his/her birth suit is a public offense. He could be charged with grave scandal much like the notorious Baywalk Bodies! No, I doubt if he’ll get a crack on doing such a bawdy stunt, unless he coincides it with the APO’s oblation run. He might just have to wait ‘till December.

OK so let’s get serious now.

I think there’s more to running naked here that Caguioa should keep in mind. He swore to put the Philippine Cup championship in the bag. He should keep it!

From now on, Caguioa should take it upon himself to carry the leadership cudgels for Ginebra.

Nope, an all-star-sized tantrum cannot help!

In the process of leading his team, he might be required to pull off some MVP or Jordanesque tricks on both sides of the floor. Or he could be like Steve Nash who “figured out” how to make Raja Bell and Boris Diaw better players in lieu of All-Star Amare.

It’s a pretty hard task, actually. But Caguioa has already placed himself at the point of no return at the start of the conference. He cannot afford to disappoint the Ginebra fans.

Well, the only consolation that Ginebra followers have is that Caguioa plays better when faced by challenges. He doesn’t say die. I’m just not sure if he could still do it considering the gravity of the situation.

From now on, Caguioa should know that he may have an alibi to break away from the dare but he can’t have any for Barangay’s beating.

Indeed, the man is on a hard mission. He needs to have a miracle to back him up.

For now, the white flag might have to wait ‘till it is raised and his pants should also wait ‘till it’s unzipped!