Caguioa sparks Ginebra to victory over Alaska

Mark Caguioa made sure that he would get the perfect gift for his 33rd birthday. Even on a lukewarm shooting night, the reigning MVP Caguioa hit the shots that told in the stretch and towed Barangay Ginebra to a 96-93 victory over Alaska last night that had the Gin Kings going back to .500 in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Caguioa whipped the huge Araneta Coliseum crowd into a frenzy in the fourth period, shooting 13 of his 24 points, including the go-ahead, picture-perfect floating jumper with 43.4 seconds left that shattered the game’s last tie at 93.
And not only that, but Caguioa also put the shackles on Cyrus Baguio, taking away Alaska’s deadliest gun in the dying seconds as the Kings won three straight games for the first time in the season and improved to 5-5.
Caguioa made just 2-of-5 triple tries, 5-of-12 two-pointers and 8-of-14 freebies but stepped up when he needed to in the clutch where those shooting clips proved to be afterthoughts.
The 6-foot guard also drained a tough fallaway over the outstretched arms of Baguio with 2:24 left for 91-89.
“It’s a big boost for us,” Caguioa said. “It’s been a long time since we won three-in-a-row, and the key for us right now is that everyone is getting involved. Our big men are getting involved offensively.” The big man that truly stepped up for the Kings was Billy Mamaril, the oft-maligned 6-foot-7 center who had 16 points and 12 boards, with his tip in of a Willy Wilson miss forging that 93-all tie.
Mac Baracael led the Aces with 21 points, with his last basket coming with 1:21 left that ushered Alaska to its last taste of the lead, 93-91.
The Aces fell to their fourth straight defeat and to 5-6 overall.
JV Casio, who is usually big in clutch situations for Alaska, had two crucial turnovers inside the final minute, the first when he dribbled off his foot for a turnover that led to that Caguioa floater.
The 5-foot-9 guard then turned the ball over after that when he committed to a jumpshot before trying to find an open teammate that eventually led to Caguioa making 1-of-2 free throws off Gabby Espinas with 7.7 left.
Alaska played without prodigious rookie Calvin Abueva, who is confined in a hospital because of a nasal infection.
“I don’t think it takes anything away from our win,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “Honestly, Abueva is a great player, but we will take it (win) whichever way we can. A win is a win for us.”
Meanwhile, Petron Blaze earlier showed – finally – why it topped all pre-season polls on who the team to beat in the tournament is after blowing Globalport to smithereens, 110-81.
The Boosters were merciless, breaking away early and never letting up as they dealt the newcomer Batang Pier the worst loss in their young PBA existence to be at 5-6, now tied with the Aces.
For Globalport, it was the sixth straight defeat and unless it wins its last four games, it would mean an early exit for the Batang Pier in their first professional conference.
Chris Lutz scored 22 points and Arwind Santos had 20 and 13 boards to pace the Boosters, who also welcomed back No. 1 draft pick June Mar Fajardo to active duty.
Fajardo, who had a scrotum operation and missed six games, finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in just 25 minutes.