A Rookie with the Heart of a Veteran

If you watched the Manila Clasico game last Sunday, you’d know why that is the title of this blog. 

There were five guys on the floor for each team and other than Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa there was somebody else who made me say, “We can still win this.” And that’s none other than, CHRISTOPHER ALLAN ELLIS. 

You’ve probably heard his name. Probably because of his outstanding performance in the PBA D-League. Probably because he was part of the Gold winning team Sinag Pilipinas in the 2011 SEA Games. Probably because of the commotion that the Draft caused, you know, when people thought it was ‘Tiu’ and not ‘Ellis’ after the commisioner said Chris. Probably because he ‘posterized’ Noy Baclao (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow2P3Uej_uE) in one of their Pre-season games. However way you’ve heard of him, what matters is you know him. 

NLEX Road Warrior Shooting Guard 

Ellis and Hodge hang on to the rim after Chris' dunk at the 2011 SEA Games

PBA Rookie Draft 2012; 6th over-all pick for Brangay Ginebra San Miguel
(What a genuine smile)

In my case, I watched their season-opener with a clean slate. I knew nothing about Chris Ellis. 

You’re probably asking, “What kind of a fan are you?” 

Yeah, sorry for that. But I guess it puts me in a better position to say how Chris is faring in the big league. Cause I have no background whatsoever until that first game, when I frantically went over the internet searching about this unknown high-flying homo sapien.

He put up good numbers with just 20 minutes in the game: 12 points, 3 blocks, 2 assists, 1 rebound. Although he graduated in the game with 6 fouls, that was overshadowed by that block he made against Jondan Salvador. It was pretty impressive for his debut game. 

Even if he didn’t see much action in their next game against Rain or Shine, he shined in their game against Meralco. Yeah, that’s when their losing streak started but he gave an impressive game putting up 19 points and 5 rebounds with just 27 minutes. And oh, before I forget, HIS FIRST PBA DUNK! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O66X2FTDHM)

You probably already know the story of the 3 other games. So let’s now focus on their recent game against San Mig Coffee Mixers. 

In 27 minutes he got the following numbers: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

But more than the numbers, something else caught my attention me. Something that made me say, “I got this rookie’s back no matter what.”

His heart. His passion.

For the game. For the team. For the sport. For the fans. 

He was everywhere. He played like a veteran. 

Doing his best to guard his opponent. Trying to score baskets when he’s given the ball. Diving to keep that ball alive. (I even remember seeing him wobbling after one hustle play. I heard he sprained his ankle but I guess it’s nothing serious.) And who could ever forget that shot block? Towards the end of the Third Quarter, PJ Simon was off for a fastbreak but he was there to stop him. He was like, “You think you can outrun me? Man, I’m the most athletic rookie in this league, whatever shot you wanna take, I won’t allow it to happen.” The look on his face after that? Priceless! And just like his first most memorable block in the PBA, it was from behind. How on earth do you do that and not get a foul?  

I’ve noticed that out of all the players in the team, when the going gets tough it’s Chris who steps up all the time. I’m not saying that the others aren’t doing their job but you can’t deny the fact that Chris gives extra effort in every game. You can see the fire in his eyes whenever he played. How frustrated he is when he passes the ball the wrong way. How irritated he is when he doesn’t get the right shot. His face of victory whenever he gets a steal or blocks the other player. 

Could it be because this was the team that he wanted to play for? 

I remember watching videos of the Rookie Draft and I saw that genuine smile on Chris’ face when he came to Magoo Marjon for an interview. Magoo even shared in an episode of FTW Sports that Chris was ecstatic when he went down after the photo-ops. He said this team was where he wanted to be in. And to quote Magoo “This guy will die for your team.” And true enough, with what Chris is showing in every game, he will do anything and everything to bring a Championship to this ‘organization.’

Portrait: Christopher Allan "Air Force" Ellis

And his humility, for a very talented player? Jaw-dropping. 

I’ve seen him tweet so many times whenever they lose. He would always put the cross on his shoulders. He would always take the blame. If you remember, there was a time during their game against Meralco when he was supposed to pass the ball to Jayjay but he passed it far off left. And after that he was telling Jayjay, “My bad. My bad.” You can see how distraught his face was and I was quite happy to see that Jayjay was smiling at him telling him probably something like, “It’s okay, man.” 

Wow, the man with many crosses.

This man of pure heart, humility and talent. I know he’ll go a long way. Maybe he’ll even reach his dream of playing in the NBA, which isn’t impossible with his skills set. 

I know the top contenders for Rookie of the Year right now are Calvin Abueva and Clifford Hodge. You’re blind if you don’t see how good they play. But it’s still a long season, the conference isn’t done yet and we have two more on the way. Enough time to show how Chris is the catalyst of this team. 

I know, right now, the team is hit by a turbulence. But that’s okay, we have faith that we’ll get to our destination safely. We’ll just fasten our seat belts and pray. Flight 34 is on it’s way to victory!

Last call for Flight 34 Bound for the Finals!

Mark "The Heart of the PBA" Caguioa

Last week, about 24hrs before the rare triple-header tips off, a poll was made for the fans to vote who they think the Face of the PBA is. Is it reigning PBA MVP Mark ‘The Spark’ Caguioa or ‘Big Game’ James Yap? 

At the end of the day, James Yap was only a few votes ahead of The Spark.

I can stand as a testament that not many Ginebra fans voted in that poll. The night before the Manila Clasico game was a bit quiet, in my opinion. Only a few of my ka-barangays who I usually chat with at night through Twitter were up and about. It was like the calm before the storm. Even Mr. Jaemark Tordecilla said that Ginebra fans aren’t big on internet polls. Sorry, we are a fanbase composed of the masses. Not all of us have the internet within our reach.

But let’s be honest, a poll can’t really be the basis of who the Face of the PBA is and I guess that’s also one of the reasons why not so many Gins fans took notice of it. 

Come game day, the crowd was cheering and jeering. The first ‘boo’ that I heard was strong and loud when James Yap touched the leather. When I heard that, I was like, ‘Mannn Barangay’s gone wild tonight’. And even I can feel myself booing James Yap but I didn’t do that cause I was alone and that’d look stupid.

After leading the game for the first few minutes, we fell behind and ended the first quarter with 7 points to run after. 

And then, the impossible happened. 

The Spark removed his protective eyewear. 

So that we can see a better look at the ‘Face of the PBA’, perhaps?

But kidding aside, I feared for Mark’s eyes. I know what might happen and I know it’s impossible to stop. I saw people tweeting about it, some with concern, some were just for laughs, 

‘Yan ang FACE of the PBA!’ 

‘Para daw makita ang CAGUIOA-puhan ng Face of the PBA’ 

And the jokes went on and on and on. But being a ka-barangay I knew deep down that those people were also worried for Mark, for his health, they were just trying keep it light. 

The commentators were saying that he removed it so that he can get a better view of the ring. And honestly, before he took it off, the shots weren’t falling for Mark nor his teammates. So many turnovers were committed as well. I felt like our ring was sealed or it shrunk to the size of a pea. 

He knew all along that something might happen to him. He knew that someone from the other team could easily reach in and make the mistake of poking his eyes instead of touching the ball. Or maybe an elbow from his defender may hit them without even meaning to. But did that stop him? Did that make him change his mind? No. 

That’s what makes Mark, for us Ginebra fans, the Face of the PBA. 

Oh wait, scratch that. 

That’s what makes Mark, for us Ginebra fans, the HEART of the PBA. 

A player who sacrifices everything and puts his own health in the line just to get a clear view of that damned ring. Just to get a basket. Just to get a win. Just to make the fans happy. Cause he knows that that’s his job. Well, he did a pretty good one. 

And for that, we thank you. I know that’s not even enough. 

I know that there are fans of other teams who also believe that Mark is the HEART of the PBA. Thank you for being able to see the heart that a player puts in every game. For seeing his efforts, his love for this game, his leadership and the fire that he brings in every game.

Isn’t it great, when people who aren’t even fans of your team is a fan of you as an individual player?

Mahal na Hari, you’ve made us proud, yet again. Even if we didn’t win that game, you showed us again why you are the MVP. You showed us again why you are the one and only Spark of this team. When you removed your glasses we didn’t just see your eyes, we saw your heart.

MARK “THE HEART OF THE PBA” CAGUIOA