3 IN A ROW FOR BGY. GINEBRA

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:34 pm

Published on November 18, 2012
Mark Caguioa, turning 33 Monday, gave himself an advanced bash on the hard court Sunday, leading
Barangay Ginebra to a pulsating triumph over Alaska Milk.

Caguioa bombed away 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Kings beat out the Aces,
96-93, in a fierce battle to move back in the upper half of the chart entering the homestretch of
the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.

“It’s a special day for me. We got a big boost with a third win in a row. Matagal-tagal na namin
hindi nakukuha ito,” said Caguioa after the win moving the team two rungs up to fifth place.

The Kings made it three in a row and hit the .500 mark with five wins against the same number of
losses. The Aces, on the other hand, suffered a fourth straight loss and slid to joint sixth with
the Petron Blaze Boosters at 5-6.

Alaska ace rookie Calvin Abueva missed the game as he’s confined in a hospital for an injury
sustained on Rob Reyes’ flagrant foul in their recent game.

“I must admit magaling si Abueva but I don’t take anything away from our win. Abueva will always
be a boost for Alaska pero ganoon talaga there are players getting injured here and there,” said
Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“Pinahirapan kami ng Alaska and it’s good we’re able to squeeze out the win. Lumamang sila ng
medyo maganda sa third quarter but we got back into the battle, got back our composure and won it in
the end,” Tanquingcen added.

Caguioa, for his clutch baskets, and Billy Mamaril, for important hustle plays, carved it out for
the Kings at the finish to the delight of the cheering Ginebra throng at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a crucial Jvee Casio error, Caguioa broke the 95-all deadlock with a floating one-hander with
43.4 seconds left to play.

Casio committed another critical turnover in the next play then LA Tenorio and Mamaril missed an
attempt each.

Mamaril, however, himself clinched the win on a crucial save of possession with 7.2 ticks left.

Fighting for the loose ball with Cyrus Baguio, Mamaril saved it for the Kings in bouncing the ball
off the Alaska player before it went out of bounds.

Mamaril went 7-of-10 from the field and 2-of-2 from the stripe for 16 points – his biggest output
in a game in four seasons.

The veteran frontline player finished with double-double numbers with 12 rebounds.

Chris Ellis added 12 points while LA Tenorio contributed 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and
three steals.

"It's an important third win na nagkataon natapat against Alaska. Di Alaska ang mindset ko. And
mindset ko eh makatulong sa team to hit the .500 mark again," said Tenorio on winning against his
former team. (SB)

The scores:

GINEBRA 96 - Caguioa 24, Mamaril 16, Ellis 12, Tenorio 10, Espiritu 9, Maierhofer 8, Wilson 6,
Hatfield 4, Taha 3, Labagala 2, Helterbrand 2.

ALASKA 93 - Baracael 21, Casio 16, Jazul 10, Espinas 10, Thoss 10, Baguio 9, Hontiveros 7, Eman 6,
Reyes 2, Dela Cruz 2, Belasco 0.

Quarters: 21-18, 46-42, 68-73, 96-93

SOURCE: PBA.ph