Mark Caguioa ‘felt like crying’ when Kobe died

Mark Caguioa (second from left) takes a selfie with  LA Tenorio, Asi Taulava and James Yap at the 2020 PBA Media Day in Pasay City on Feb 27, 2020. Photo: PBA Media Group

Ginebra's Mark Caguioa said that hours before the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant, he had been in the same area and it had indeed been foggy.

"Siguro 'yung [nasa] kabilang mountain lang siya," Caguioa shared in an interview with GMA News during PBA Media Day in Pasay City on Thursday.

"Me and my brother were driving near Calabasas. I took a video because of the weather. Foggy talaga," he continued. The Spark then showed a video of a foggy mountainside from his phone, taken hours before the crash happened.

Caguioa said that when he learned about Bryant's death, "I felt like crying that day." 

Caguioa talked about how Bryant exhibited his humility when he asked for the Lakers star's autograph during one of his visits to the Philippines.

"With Kobe, after that, it changed my [mindset] rin, especially with the fans. I would say I was nicer and more approachable after that," Caguioa said.

While other athletes may act differently because of their superstar status, Caguioa said, Bryant was different.

"Kobe being Kobe, you think he's parang snob, [actually] he's the opposite," Caguioa attested.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed when the helicopter they were in went down in low clouds and foggy weather in Calabasas, California on January 26.  — Justin Kenneth Carandang/BM, GMA News