MANILA, Philippines?Mark Caguioa?s free-scoring ways propelled Barangay Ginebra to its first back-to-back victories in the Smart PBA-Fiesta Conference Saturday. Along the way, the peppery guard closed in on a scoring record, a feat that doesn?t surprise his coach, Jong Uichico.
?Even when we were losing, he?s been carrying the load for us,? Uichico said of Caguioa, who torched Air21 for a personal conference-high 39 points in the Gin Kings? 97-92 win at the capacity-filled Zamboanga Coliseum Saturday.
Caguioa?s exploits, which lifted the Gin Kings to a 3-7 slate, earned him the Smart/Accel-PBA Press Corps-Player of the Week for the period May 19 to 25.
The 39, one short of Sta. Lucia Realty forward Nelbert Omolon?s season-high, also improved Caguioa?s scoring norm to 25.7 ppg, marking the first time a local is the leading scorer halfway through an import-laced tournament.
?We know he can score, but he?s been holding his own on the other end of the court,? Uichico said. ?He has been adopting a more serious defensive mentality of late and because of that he has been steadily developing as a better all-around player.?
Undeniably, though, it was Caguioa?s scoring that spelled the difference against Air21. He tallied 21 by halftime and added 12 more in the third to tie his personal conference-high.
