Caguioa Sparks Ginebra To Victory

Caguioa Sparks Ginebra To Victory

By WAYLON GALVEZ
May 23, 2012, 9:11pm

Games Friday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. — Powerade vs Barako Bull

7:30 p.m. — B-Meg vs Rain or Shine



MANILA, Philippines — Playing as if he was not away for almost two months due to an injury, Mark Caguioa fired 15 points to highlight his triumphant return to Barangay Ginebra Wednesday night.

And with import Cedric Bozeman putting on a brilliant all-around game, the Gin King romped to a 103-85 win over the Air21 Express in the PBA Governors’ Cup that made Caguioa’s comeback truly a memorable one at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Caguioa was sidelined during the team’s semis duel with sister team B-Meg in the Commissioner’s Cup after his right orbital socket was accidentally hit by James Yap last March and got fractured.

But there was no sign that he got rusty after missing the game that long.

In his first attempt – after replacing Mike Cortez with five minutes left in the opening quarter – Caguioa, who was wearing protective eyewear, sent the crowd into frenzied celebration when he made his three-point shot.

He finished with a 2-of-3 shooting from three-point territory and 3-of-6 from two-point range. And he was perfect from the foul line as he made all his three attempts in 29 minutes of action.

“It feels good to be back playing with these guys,” said Caguioa.

“At first, O (wearing the eyewear). But it gets a little foggy nung pinawisan na ako, that’s when it feels uncomfortable. But no pain (in the eye) just a little headache,” added Caguioa, who was given the ‘green light’ by doctors to play last week.

“It’s imperative, kahit paano maganda ang kumpiyansa. It’s really a blessing na nabigyan agad siya (Caguioa) ng clearance. He’s always been the soul of this team, malaking bagay na maglaro sya,” said Ginebra mentor Siot Tanquingcen.

Bozeman led the team with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while rookie forward Allain Maliksi had 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, and veteran forward Rudy Hatfield had 10 points and seven boards.



First Game

GINE BRA 103 — Bozeman 29, Caguioa 15, Maliksi 13, Hatfield 10, Ababou 9, Cortez 8, Raymundo 7, Wilson W. 6, Wilson J. 3, Labagala 2, Villanueva 1, Maierhofer 0, Canaleta 0.

AIR 21 85 — Graham 31, Ritualo 13, Sena 11, Isip 6, Omolon 6, Jazul 5, Espiritu 4, Sison 4, Bagatsing 3, Hubalde 2, Menor 0, Faundo 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 45-39, 71-62, 103-85



Source: Manila Bulletin