PUSH FROM HIGH SCHOOL COACH LED TO PRINCE CAPERAL'S PBA COMEBACK

BIG man Prince Caperal may have left a lasting impression on his former high school coach.

For it was a call from Junjie Ablan, who handled Caperal while he was in high school at Arellano, that paved the way for the veteran center’s return to the PBA.

Ablan is currently among the deputy coaches at Blackwater, and when the need for a back-up big man came following the injury to Jewel Ponferada, he notified his former player to try out for a possible slot.

"He (Ablan) texted me na mag-try out ako sa Blackwater," said the 31-year-old Caperal.

READ Prince Caperal lands Blackwater spot after impressing in tryouts

"Supposedly lilipad kami for the US for a vacation ng mga bata. But a week before, they called me and nag tryout ako for three days and then it so happened, nagustuhan naman nila ako and they signed me."

Coming off a short stint with the Zamboanga Valientes, Caperal is grateful for Blackwater management for giving him another shot at playing in the PBA again after an unremarkable two-year stay at Northport.

Of course, shoutut, too, to his high school coach as the two were reunited again with the Bossing.

"Nag-try out ako sa kanya (Ablan) nung high school ako. Arellano ako from high school to college," said Caperal. "Wala pa kami (Arellano) sa NCAA nun. Nasa NCRAA pa kami nun.

PHOTO: PBA Media Bureau

"He knows me naman. Siguro hindi niya ako makalimutan kasi everytime na kalaban ko yung Blackwater maganda siguro lagi ang laro ko against sa kanila," added the 6-foot-7 veteran in jest.

The Bossing though, failed to make the playoffs of the season-ending Philippine Cup as they could only post a 2-8 mark going to their final game of Season 49 on Friday against Phoenix.

READ Carl Bryan Cruz, Tolomia, Caperal, Ayaay out of PBA jobs

But as one of the elders in the team, Caperal says he likes the outlook of the team moving forward.

"Sobrang bata nung team. Hindi ako sanay na tinatawag na kuya kasi yung mga past teams ko kaming mga bata ang tumatawag (na kuya)," a smiling Caperal said. "Ngayon puro kuya ang tawag sa akin."

Caperal owns four championship rings and was the 2020 Most Improved Player, all of which he attained while playing for Barangay Ginebra.

But he also previously suited up for the Globalport franchise, which selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft, Barako Bull, Phoenix, and Terrafirma.

After the PBA, Caperal had a short stint with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL.

"So I get to share yung mga natutunan ko sa past teams ko, yung experiences ko and all," he related.

"And okay yung team namin. Yung mga young guys so eager to learn and to win. Yung mga batang ito malayo ang mararating, I like the attitude. Sobrang receptive nila."

Caperal likewise has nothing but nice words for Bossing coach Jeff Cariaso.

"I like his (Cariaso) vision, his plans and all," he said.

As for his own stint with Blackwater, Caperal signed just a one-conference contract with the team and is leaving everything up for management to decided if he gets renewed or not.

"Siyempre may mga plans din sila," he said. "If everything goes well, will see. We’ll see how it goes."

2025-06-10T12:03:26Z