Caguioa links up with RP five

THERE is one thing Mark Caguioa likes more than playing for the national team: Asi Taulava’s new haircut.

"Hindi ko nga nakilala noong dumating ako kanina because he was facing the wall. Sabi ko ‘Who’s that?’" a laughing Caguioa related after his keenly-awaited first practice session with the team yesterday. "But I like his hair. It looks really clean. Pang-RP team talaga."

"I had my eyes closed all the time," said the Talk N Text center of his flowing dyed-blonde locks recently trimmed by a local barber, adding he preferred scissors over clippers.

"The last time I had my hair done using clippers, I ended up with a Tony dela Cruz haircut," he said, referring to the Alaska Ace hotshot’s short-cropped ‘do.

Caguioa flew in from the States at 11 in the morning after a 14-hour flight from Los Angeles and promptly explained what kept him from joining the team earlier.

He claimed his mother, Remy, 51, was suffering from low blood pressure.

"Nag-collapse siya and I had to look after her. Nasa ospital pa nga siya noong umalis ako. They’re doing more tests on her," he said.

Caguioa had wanted to stay with his father, Cadoy, and two younger brothers at her bedside until the arrival of the nationals to Los Angeles at the end of the month for a two-week camp. But he knew better.

"I could’ve waited for them in States, pero trabaho ‘to," he said. "Kaya bumalik na rin ako."

He appeared a little off during scrimmage, clanked a few jumpers and missed a couple of free throws. But he huffed and hustled during every transition, and was blending well with the rest of the team when national coach Chot Reyes called it day before 4 p.m.

"I want to give my 110 percent because I need to show why I was selected," Caguioa said. "I’m putting pressure on myself para di mawala ang gigil ko sa game."

Reyes had his first complete practice since preparation began last March 12.

"Of course, I’m very happy, but it’s no big deal because we knew he’d be coming in a little late," Reyes said, adding a decision has yet to be made on who will take Fil-Am Rudy Hatfield’s place on the team.

"We’ll probably wait until we return before we decide," Reyes said.

Other than the rigorous physical conditioning program laid out by strength and fitness coach Dennis Aenlle, the all-pro team is undergoing a computer-like mental rejuvenation.