Caguioa brings back 'spark' as Kings trounce Tigers, 105-96

Caguioa brings back 'spark' as Kings trounce Tigers, 105-96
By Nelson Beltran (philstar.com) Updated March 04, 2012 08:44 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Mark Caguioa dished out an inspired game playing alongside do-it-all import Jackson Vroman, coming through with his biggest output – 31 points – in a game in four years as Barangay Ginebra drubbed Powerade, 105-96, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sport Center in Antipolo tonight.

Caguioa and Vroman complemented well one another, leading the Kings to a third win against a lone defeat in the mid-season tourney.

“It’s natural that the locals’ morale goes high when they see their import doing a lot of things,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen to explain Caguioa’s fired-up game.

“The biggest difference Mark Vroman brought with him is his versatility. He’s shown in this game that he can play inside and outside,” Tanquingcen added.

Vroman, a four-year NBA veteran who later played for the Lebanon national team as a naturalized player, debuted in the local pro league with a remarkable all-around stats of 19 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals against three turnovers in only 35 minutes of action.

Caguioa top scored with 31 points on 13-of-22 field shooting and 2-of-2 charities, his biggest output in a game since putting in 33 in Game Four of the Ginebra-Red Bull semifinal series in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

The other Ginebra locals also played inspired as they dealt the Tigers a second straight loss following back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and Meralco.

The Kings gave Powerade hotshot Gary David different defensive looks, holding him down to 23 points – his fewest in eight games.

David has been so hot that he scored at least 23 in 17 of their last 18 outings. His lowest was “19” in those 18 games.

The season scoring leader scattered 13 points right in the first quarter in this game before being contained by the Kings.

Source: The Philippine Star