Jun 21, 2018

Mark Caguioa nears 10,000-point club, but says he is more focused on winning championships

The journey towards the 10,000-point club has began for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel veteran Mark Caguioa after moving past a PBA legend for 15th on the league's all-time scoring list Wednesday.

His eight points despite sparring minutes in Ginebra's 134-107 romp of the Columbian Dyip at the Smart Araneta Coliseum were enough to surpass former Crispa great Freddie Hubalde while putting him 69 shy of becoming the 15th man in the 43-year history of the PBA to reach the five-figure mark.

Caguioa, however, said getting to 10,000 is far from his mind, opting to divert his attention on collecting more championships while he can.

"I will not really go after it. I'm just gonna try to win more championships," said the 38-year-old Caguioa, who now has 9,961 points in a career that began in 2001 when the Kings made him their first round pick and third overall.

Ramon Fernandez remains as the league's all-time leading scorer with 18,996 points in 20 seasons, followed by Abet Guidaben (15,775), Alvin Patrimonio (15,091), Atoy Co (12,994), Nelson Asaytono (12,668), Philip Cezar (12,077), Jojo Lastimosa (12,008), Bogs Adornado (11,967), Robert Jaworski (11,760), Allan Caidic (11,719), Jerry Codinera (10,868), Benjie Paras (10,322), Francis Arnaiz (10,292) and James Yap (over-10,000).

Sponsored content:
Yap, currently with Rain or Shine, was the latest member of the 10,000-point club, reaching the mark in last season's Governors' Cup.

Caguioa is one of the PBA's most decorated players with six championships, a Most Valuable Player award in 2012, Rookie of the Year plum in 2001 and three Best Player of the Conference honors. (JT)