PBA: Ginebra drubs Air21

PBA: Ginebra drubs Air21

May 23, 2012 7:11pm

(Update 2 12:15 a.m.) Mark Caguioa's return and import Cedric Bozeman's strong debut resulted in a 103-85 win by Barangay Ginebra over Air21 Wednesday night in the 37th PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the second game, Champ Oguchi and Sol Mercado combined for 54 points as Meralco pulled off a 105-99 victory against Talk 'N Text.

The 6-foot-5 guard collected 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Caguioa and Allein Maliksi kept Ginebra in control of the match especially in the second half where the Gin Kings pulled away for good.

"It feels good to be back on the court playing with these guys," said Caguioa, who wore glasses to protect his eyes after suffering a fractured ring orbital socket in their playoff series against eventual Commissioner's Cup champion B-MEG Llamados last March 30.

Caguioa, who have been taking medicines for the headaches, was out for two months and missed the rest of the post season.

"The glasses doesn't bother me at first, but as the game goes on it gets fog up. So I have three pairs," said Caguioa.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen was thankful that Caguioa already played. "It's always crucial and imperative that the team gets off to a good start. It's a blessing that Mark (Caguioa) was given clearance to play. (He's) always been the soul of this team."

Ginebra, holding on to a 71-62 lead, used a 14-5 exchange to pull away with Caguioa highlighting the scoring run with a three-pointer for an 89-69 spread with still over seven minutes remaining in the game.

The Express countered with a 12-2 blitz to trim the lead to 10, 91-81, with more than four minutes left to play. But the Kings held on to complete the win.

Bozeman and Rudy Hatfield's back-to-back baskets gave Ginebra a 12-3 count early in the game.

Caguioa scattered 15 points, while Maliksi and Hatfield added 13 and 10 markers each.

Meralco, meanwhile, capitalized on Talk 'N Text's depleted roster in stunning last year's losing finalist, 105-99.

"That was an enormous break for us (Talk 'N Text) playing with five of their main players out," said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. "We'll take this win any way we can."

Mark Cardona scored 15 points, while Reynel Hugnatan chipped in 12 markers also for the Bolts. — JVP/OMG, GMA News

Scores:


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

Air21 85—Graham 31, Ritualo 13, Sena 11, Isip 6, Omolon 6, Jazul 5, Sison 4, Espiritu 4, Bagatsing 3, Hubalde 2, Menor 0, Faundo 0.

Quarter scores: 23-18, 45-39, 71-62, 103-85.

Second game
Meralco 105—Oguchi 29, Mercado 24, Cardona 15, Hugnatan 12, Taulava 9, Artadi 8, Macapagal 4, Ross 3, Reyes 1.

Talk 'N Text 99—Harris 32, De Ocampo 17, Aban 13, Peek 11, Raymundo 9, Fonacier 9, Dillinger 8, Gamalinda 0, Aguilar 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0.

Quarter scores: 22-28, 54-52, 83-78, 105-99.

Source: Gmanetwork.com