Caguioa sparks Kings run

ANTIPOLO CITY — Here’s one reason why Mark Caguioa is called "The Spark."

Coming out big after subpar efforts, Caguioa spearheaded a pivotal fourth quarter run as Barangay Ginebra trounced Sta. Lucia, 74-70, yesterday to enhance its bid in the Selecta PBA All Filipino Cup at the Ynares Center here.

Making up for a seven-point performance in his team’s last game, Caguioa rediscovered his old self as he erupted for 10 of his 26 points in the final quarter that left the Realtors rushing things up in the stretch.

Bal David’s four crucial foul shots in the final 16 seconds sealed Barangay Ginebra’s second straight victory in three outings and a first win over the Realtors in six games since the Governor’s Cup two years back.

But more than Caguioa’s endgame heroics and David’s clutch free throw shooting, it was Eric Menk’s superb double-double stint that powered the Kings throughout.

Playing only his third game for Barangay Ginebra, Menk, a member of the national team that finished fourth in the Busan Asian Games, finished the night with a 14-point, 14-rebound performance.

Menk also played big in the Kings’ 68-62 win over the San Miguel Beermen in Balanga, Bataan on Oct. 20, exploding for 26 points.

"I’m really happy that Eric is adjusting well to the team and vice versa," said Barangay Ginebra coach Allan Caidic, one of Jong Uichico’s lieutenants in Busan.

The Kings dictated the pace in the first three quarters behind the heroics of Menk, Caguioa, David and rookie Chester Tolomia but could not pull away from Sta. Lucia, which seemed to have an answer in every Barangay Ginebra run.

Caguioa then struck like a hurricane in the final period, splitting a Sta. Lucia defense on top of the keyhole to score on a running jumper that gave Barangay Ginebra a 69-62 lead, the momentum, and a chance to wrap things up with exactly 2.22 minutes to go in the contest.

But the Realtors, now with a 1-1 slate, scored five straight points in a hurry that trimmed their deficit down to two points, 67-69, with a little over a minute left before missing on several three-point attempts that could have changed the complexion of the match.