Allan Caidic isn’t just the deadliest long-range shooter the Philippines has ever produced. 

With an international career that spanned three decades as a player and as a coach, the PBA’s “Triggerman” is also one of the most accomplished players to don the Philippine colors in recent history.

And even though he could no longer set up for his three-point bombs for the national team, he still does the best thing he could do for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team competing in the ongoing FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China: he cheers for them.

“It’s really amazing what that team is accomplishing right now,” said Caidic, who began his Philippine team career with the Northern Consolidated Cement national squad in the 1980s.

“I’m excited and happy for them. It’s just three wins to the crown.”

The 6-foot-1 sharpshooter was part of the last Philippine squad to win the Asian championship in 1985. He also represented the country in the Asian Games as a professional in 1990, 1994, and 1998. His international career came full circle when, in 2002, he became part of the coaching staff of the national team helmed by Jong Uichico.

Now, Caidic’s heart still remains with the national team, even though he is a mere fan, albeit one who never misses a game.

“Talagang sinusundan ko sila,” he said. “Sometimes, I even watch the replays din.”

Like any other fan, Caidic had his own share of worries because of all the questions surrounding the Philippine team.

“Medyo kinabahan ako at the start, with all the distractions,” he said. “The pullout [of reinforcements Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag, and Ranidel de Ocampo from the team] to support the Grand Slam [bid of Talk 'N Text]. The [Chris] Lutz-[Marcio] Lassiter incident [when the two players were barred from playing because of eligibility questions].”

“Pero bilib ako how they got together and stayed focus.”

These days, Caidic wears a pendant featuring three stars and a sun — a literal manifestation of how the national cause remains close to his heart.

He said that he still misses the international game, but one can see how rooting for SMART-Gilas has filled a bit of that void in Caidic.

“I really hope they could go all the way,” he said.

“Mas excited pa ata ako sa kanila eh.”

source: Jaemark Tordecilla -InterAKTV