Kings, Caguioa avenge loss to Realtors, Cabagnot

Mark Caguioa redeemed himself after being outplayed by Alex Cabagnot in their first meeting, returning the compliment last night as Barangay Ginebra exacted revenge against Sta. Lucia Realty, 96-89, in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup before a huge weekend crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Caguioa made a conscious effort to get the better end of his rematch with his fellow former Eagle Rock HS player in the United States, leading the Kings to a second straight victory and their fourth in seven games overall in the Xtreme Magic Sing-backed tourney.

The 2001 Rookie of the Year tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals while the Sta. Lucia freshman finished with a big fat egg in scoring although he came up with five rebounds and three assists.

"I was embarrassed in our first meeting. We came from the same school and I know it would be talked about in the States. Masyado kaming pini-pair, eh wala naman siyang nagawa. Ni-hindi siya lumaban," said Caguioa.

Cabagnot mocked the defenses of Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand in the first Sta. Lucia-Ginebra duel, piling up 16 rebounds, three assists and two rebounds in leading the Realtors to a 92-88 victory.

This time, Cabagnot ran into the stonewall defense of the Kings and went scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting from the field.

"Kinausap ko ang mga teammates ko. Sabi ko huag syang paiskorin,"said Caguioa.

With Caguioa stepping up his game, the Kings bucked the absence of Helterbrand in dealing the Realtors a fourth straight loss and their fifth against two wins.

Sean Lampley, Rommel Adducul, Eric Menk and Rodney Santos also finished in double figures while Helterbrand was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

The Realtors stayed on a skid despite unraveling a new import in Omar Weaver, who debuted in the league with a double-double game with 28 points and 13 rebounds.

"It’s always nice to win. Pero may hindi magandang signs na nakita sa inilaro namin. Pwede namin idikdik at ilayo, pero hindi nagawa. We became complacent," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

The Kings enjoyed a 17-point lead at the onset of the fourth quarter but did relax a bit and allow the Realtors to get back into the game heading into the finish.

Caguioa himself finished off the Realtors by canning in two charities to make it 94-88 with time down to 30 seconds.

Tanquingcen hoped the win could prime up the Kings for their match with the San Miguel Beermen Wednesday.

"San Miguel has come out of a slump. Siguradong pahirapan ang laro naming," said Tanquingcen.