Stars showdown as Caguioa edges Yap

Two of today's top PBA gunners went at each other on Sunday night. And in the end, it was the 'The Spark' who got the better of his veritable shootout over 'Big Game James.'

Mark Caguioa outscored James Yap in their one-on-one duel as Barangay Ginebra edged out defending champion San Mig Coffee, 96-88, in a battle of Commissioner’s Cup marquee teams before a huge crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Caguioa topscored for the Kings with 25 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point territory, two of them serving as huge cushion for the league’s most popular team at the height of a furious Mixers endgame rally.

Yap finished with 21 points and was 4-of-11 from beyond the arc, but his back-to-back three-pointers in the final two minutes had the Mixers breathing down the Kings' neck coming home.

But on this night, there was no denying the reigning league MVP as he and the Kings pulled off one over the former two-time MVP and the defending champions.

Caguioa, who also had seven rebounds and five assists, later played down the shootout, but appears to relish his rivalry with Yap.

“There’s always a rivalry. May mga fan bases yan. There’s gonna be fans of James Yap, there’s gonna be fans of Mark Caguioa and hindi magpapatalo ang dalawang yan,” said Ginebra's acknowledged heart and soul.

Yap had three assists and three rebounds, and appears uncomfortable talking about the rivalry being hyped between him and Caguioa, with whom he’s close with outside the court.

“Sa akin naman I don’t think may rivalry kami. Nagkataon lang talaga na lahat naka-focus sa amin,” said the shooting guard out of University of the East.

 “Basta we’re just doing our thing inside the court. Personally, sa akin walang rivalry. Kakulitan ko nga yang si Mark,” added the San Mig Coffee star.

“Ang importante lang is to perform like tonight.”

by: @gerardmos

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Caguioa Sparks to survive Mixers rally

Barangay Ginebra survived a late San Mig Coffee rally for a huge 96-88 victory Sunday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup before a capacity crowd at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

In front of the biggest crowd of the tournament, Mark “The Spark” Caguioa shone brightest


The Kings almost squandered a 15-point fourth-quarter cushion, but held on behind the outside snippings of reigning MVP Mark Caguioa.

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar scored 25 points, including two huge three-pointers in the last two minutes, to lead the Gin Kings to a 96-88 victory over the San Mig Coffee Mixers in their Manila Clasico showdown Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Two-time league MVP James Yap carried the reigning champion Mixers on his shoulders and engaged Caguioa in a virtual shootout entering the stretch run of the match the Kings dominated all the way..

The win gave the Gin Kings its second win in seven games, coming against their traditional rivals in front of a wild crowd of 16,617.

“Pinakita lang ni Mark Caguioa na he’s still Mark Caguioa,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua.

But Caguioa did not do it alone. LA Tenorio quarterbacked the squad masterfully, finishing with 12 points and 13 assists.

“Malaking isda ‘tong nahuli namin,” said Chua.

“They’re taller, they’re stronger than us. Pero mas malaki ang puso nila sa kalaban.”

Import Vernon Macklin added 20 points and 16 rebounds for Ginebra while providing the energy for the squad.

“Gusto siya ng mga players because of his fighting heart,” said Chua. “Yung mga ganun masarap kasama sa laban.”

Ginebra got key contributions from role players Billy Mamaril, who scored 13 points, and Chris Ellis, who added 11.

Denzel Bowles led the fight for San Mig Coffee with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while James Yap added 21.

The loss snapped San Mig Coffee’s three-game winning streak. The Mixers’ win-loss record fell to 3-4.

The scores:

GINEBRA 96 – Caguioa 25, Macklin 20, Mamaril 13, Tenorio 12, Ellis 11, Raymundo 6, Labagala 4, Baracael 4, Maierhofer 1.

SAN MIG COFFEE 88 – Bowles 25, Yap 21, Devance 13, Pingris 11, Mallari 4, Barroca 4, Simon 4, De Ocampo 4, Najorda 2, Gaco 0.

Quarters: 24-17, 48-35, 67-58, 96-88

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