Caguioa outduels Romeo as Ginebra fends off GlobalPort

MANILA, Philippines – Mark Caguioa scored 14 of Ginebra’s last 18 points in the final moments of the fourth quarter to survive GlobalPort, 109-104 in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday, November 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Ginebra started the game with guns ablaze while GlobalPort shot a woeful 35% from the field in the first half as Ginebra took a commanding 83-66 lead heading into the fourth period.

But GlobalPort’s young guns stopped the bleeding in the fourth and stormed their way back in the match. RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo combined for 16 points in a 27-8 blast as the Batang Pier stole the lead, 93-91 with under 5 minutes remaining in the game.

Sensing blood, Mark “The Spark” Caguioa started to take over with one huge basket after another. He sank a triple and a pair of free throws to give Ginebra the lead, 96-93.

GlobalPort rookie Justin Chua scored a putback on the other end before a Greg Slaughter slam and Caguioa jumper gave Ginebra a 100-95 breathing room with under two minutes left.

Caguioa then converted on a three-point play and sank a dagger of a three with under a minute left to shove Ginebra on top. GlobalPort tried to salvage the game but eventually ran out of time as Ginebra escaped with a win.

Caguioa outdueled promising rookie Terrence Romeo and finished with 29 points including 14 in the crucial fourth period, and added 4 assists. Ginebra tied sister team Petron on top of the standings with identical 3-0 slates.

The scores:

Ginebra (109) – Caguioa 29, Aguilar 18, Slaughter 17, Tenorio 15, Helterbrand 11, Ellis 6, Monfort 6, Ababou 3, Reyes 2, Urbiztondo 2, Baracael 0, Mamaril 0, Forrester 0.

GlobalPort (104) – Romeo 27, Washington 23, Garcia 20, Hayes 10, Mercado 10, Chua 8, Lingganay 3, Belencion 2, Salvador 1, Menk 0, Ponferrada 0, Najorda 0.

Quarters: 28-17, 56-38, 83-66, 109-104 

– with reports from Levi Verora/Rappler.com