PBA: Run-and-gun Ginebra Kings pound Powerade

PBA: Run-and-gun Ginebra Kings pound Powerade
March 4, 2012 6:32pm

(Updated 7:50pm) Rejuvenated by the presence of a new import and a revitalized Mark Caguioa, the Barangay Ginebra Kings crushed the Powerade Tigers 105-96, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, before a huge, raucous crowd at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Sunday.

The newly-hired Jackson Vroman lived up to the hype by coming through with an all-around game of 19 points, 12 rebounds, five block shots, four assists, and three steals, in a performance that certainly thrilled the predominantly Ginebra throng that made up the crowd of 10,037 at the playing venue.

Taking their cue from the fresh import, the Kings’ locals, led by Caguioa, did their own share of the job in aiding the league’s crowd darlings to their third win in four outings, good for solo second in the mid-season tournament.

Caguioa played his best game of the conference with 31 points, 24 coming in the breakaway second half, while Mike Cortez and off-season acquisition Dylan Ababou had 15 and 10, respectively.

Coach Siot Tanquingcen was obviously thrilled with the new-found energy within the Kings following the arrival of Vroman, a naturalized Lebanese who came in as a replacement for Chris Alexander.

“Kapag nakikita mo na may nagagawa import mo, medyo tumataas ang laro ng locals,” said Tanquingcen. “His [Vroman] versatily really altered the confidence of the team. Not to take anything away from Chris [Alexander], but we are always finding ways to improve on the team.”

Vroman scored 11 points in the first quarter alone on 5-of-7 shooting, while Caguioa added eight rebounds in addition to his scoring spree, the latter coming on a 13 of 22 shooting performance from the field.

It was Caguioa who actually sparked the Kings’ offense in the third period, when they outscored the Tigers 31-18, to stretch a slim one-point halftime lead to 80-66, entering the pivotal fourth quarter.

Gary David, the league’s best scorer, was held to just six points after the intermission as he was unable to build upon his 17-point effort in the first half.

Marcio Lassiter added 19 points, while JV Casio notched a double-double, 18 points and 10 assists, in a losing effort.

Powerade lost for the second straight game for an even 2-2 slate.


The scores:

Ginebra 105 - Caguioa 31, Vroman 19, Cortez 15, Ababou 10, Hatfield 7, Villanueva 6, Wilson J. 5, Helterbrand 5, Raymundo 5, Mamaril 2, Labagala 0.

Powerade 96 - David 23, Lassiter 19, Casio 18, Jones 13, Kramer 10, Vanlandingham 6, Anthony 5, Lingganay 2, Calimag 0, Adducul 0, Crisano 0

Quarter scores: 29-22, 49-48, 80-66, 105-96.

Source: GMANews.com