Tim Cone hopes to see a retirement ceremony for Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand
Mark Caguioa has quietly hanged up his sneakers after a colorful 21-year PBA career and Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone revealed that the 42-year old Fil-Am is cold to the idea of having a retirement ceremony.
“Mark has quietly, from what I understand, decided to retire. He didn’t want any fanfare. He didn’t want any retirement ceremony. We asked him,” said Cone during the PBA Media day last Thursday at Novotel.
The league’s winningest mentor, however, disagrees and hopes that Caguioa, along with long-time backcourt partner Jayjay Helterbrand, be honored for their accomplishments not only for the Gin Kings but also for the league as well.
“Maybe that’s something in the future,” said Cone. “Maybe we can get him and Jayjay together and do something special.”
Helterbrand was a direct hire of Brgy. Ginebra in 2000 and played for the team until 2017. He won 6 championships, was the Finals MVP during the 2006-07 Philippine Cup and was crowned as league MVP in 2009. He was also a 2-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, a 2-time member of the Mythical First Team and a 6-time PBA All-Star.
He played briefly in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League after retirement.
Caguioa, meanwhile, won 9 PBA titles, was the league MVP in 2012, bagged 3 BPC awards, made it to the Mythical First Team 3 times and was a 13-time PBA All-Star.
He was the Rookie of the Year in 2001 and is a member of the league’s 10,000-point club and 40 greatest players.
