Versatile Vroman lifts Kings

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Caguioa dished out an inspired game playing alongside do-it-all import Jackson Vroman as he came through with his biggest output – 31 points – in a game in four years as Barangay Ginebra drubbed Powerade, 105-96, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sport Center in Antipolo last night.

Caguioa and Vroman complemented each other well as they led the Kings to their third win against a lone defeat in the mid-season tourney.

“It’s natural that the locals’ morale goes high when they see their import doing a lot of things,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen to explain Caguioa’s fired-up game.

“The biggest difference Mark Vroman brought with him is his versatility. He’s shown in this game that he can play inside and outside,” Tanquingcen added.

Vroman, a four-year NBA veteran who later played for the Lebanon national team as a naturalized player, debuted in the local pro league with a remarkable all-around stats of 19 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals against three turnovers in only 35 minutes.

Caguioa topscored with 31 points on 13-of-22 field shooting and 2-of-2 charities, his biggest output in a game since putting in 33 points in Game Four of the Ginebra-Red Bull semifinal series in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

The other Ginebra locals also played an inspired game as they dealt the Tigers their second straight loss following back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and Meralco.

The Kings gave Powerade hotshot Gary David different defensive looks, holding him down to 23 points – his lowest in eight games.

David has been so hot that he scored at least 23 in 17 of their last 18 outings. His lowest was 19 in those 18 games.

The season scoring leader scattered 13 points right in the first quarter in this game before being shackled by the Kings.

Arwind Santos came out of his shell, erupting for a career-best 34 points as Petron Blaze drubbed Rain or Shine, 110-103, to tie Alaska Milk and B-Meg at third place at 3-2 in the nightcap.

Averaging measly 8.0 points before this game, Santos set a new career-high in knocking in five triples, eight twinners and three charities. He also added 13 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.

NOTES: Jackson Vroman said he would have loved to play for Smart Gilas had he not suited up with Lebanon earlier. “Nanghihinayang nga. Mas type nya laro natin kaysa sa Lebanon. He wants up-and-down game,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen. Vroman saw action against Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Eric Menk and Kerby Raymundo in international wars in 2007. He later also played games versus Dylan Ababou and the Smart Gilas team.

The scores:

First Game

Ginebra 105 – Caguioa 31, Vroman 19, Cortez 15, Ababou 10, Hatfield 7, Villanueva 6, Wilson J. 5, Helterbrand 5, Raymundo 5, Mamaril 2, Labagala 0.

Powerade 96 – David 23, Lassiter 19, Casio 18, Jones 13, Kramer 10, Vanlandingham 6, Anthony 5, Lingganay 2, Calimag 0, Adducul 0, Crisano 0

Quarterscores: 29-22, 49-48, 80-66, 105-96

Second Game

Petron 110 – Santos 34, Cabagnot 24, Fazekas 22, Yeo 15, Ildefonso 7, Agustin 2, Reyes 2, Miranda 2, Tugade 2.

Rain or Shine 103 – Crews 41, Buenafe 11, Chan 10, Quinahan 10, Lee 9, Norwood 8, Belga 4, Crews 3, Arana 3, Uyloan 2, Tang 2, Matias 0, Jaime 0, Ibanes 0.

Quarterscores: 33-26, 57-51, 91-77, 110-103