Kings’ 1-2 punch floors Coke Tigers

Mark Caguioa returned from a three-game layoff, helping power Barangay Ginebra to its third straight win with a 91-84 victory over Coca-Cola in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Finding more room to operate on Caguioa’s comeback, Jayjay Helterbrand converted five of his six three-point attempts and totaled 27 points while Chris Alexander pulled down 22 rebounds and tossed in 13 points as the Kings sustained their charge, catching up with the Talk n Text Phone Pals at sixth place on 7-8 (win-loss) cards.

Caguioa, who still played with a bruised knee, contributed 14 points, three rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes of action.

“I just asked Mark (Caguioa) if he can give me some minutes to strengthen my rotation against Coca-Cola. Though still hurting, he responded well, playing longer minutes than what I thought he could,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Caguioa’s presence made Ginebra more stable offensively and defensively, becoming a big factor as the Kings handed the Tigers their sixth loss against nine wins.

Alexander completely outplayed Jason Dixon, limiting the league scoring leader to seven points. Dixon finished with 11 rebounds, two assists and the same number of steals. The burly Coke reinforcement averaged 25.1 points before the game.

The Kings also held Coca-Cola’s top three local scorers – Ronjay Buenafe, Asi Taulava and Mark Macapagal – below their norms. The three, averaging a combined output of 31.2 points a game, scored only six points together against Ginebra.

“With the situation we’re in, we’re treating all our games like our last and the players have been responding to the challenge,” said Uichico. “We’re getting closer (to our goal) but not yet there. We hope we can continue what we’ve been doing lately.”

Helterbrand, who has become Ginebra’s main man the last few games, himself delivered the killer blows against Coca-Cola.

The 5-foot-11 guard rifled in a trey to make it 89-80 then after Coke closed in at 84-89, he stole off Donald Copeland and scored on a breakaway lay-up as the Kings went ahead by seven with time down to 14.3 seconds.

“Jayjay is known more as an offensive player. But he’s got his game to a higher level. He’s improved his playmaking and defense,” said Uichico.

The Kings set the pace most of the way while shooting 50 percent from the field and hauling down 53 rebounds as against the Tigers’ 40.2-percent field-goal shooting and 40 boards.