MANILA, Philippines—Mark Caguioa came alive in the second half giving Barangay Ginebra a boost to pull away from Barako Bull, 91-81, to assure itself of a quarterfinal slot Sunday night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Caguioa fired 18 of his game-high 25 points in the last two quarters.
With the win, the Gin Kings remained in the hunt for an outright semifinals berth.
Earlier, B-Meg survived Powerade, 96-94, behind a double-double from import Denzel Bowles.
Bowles finished 29 points and 18 rebounds as the Llamados escaped the rallying Tigers, who had ace player Gary David putting up 12 points in the final quarter alone.
David ended up with 25 points but Powerade, which is still in the tight race for a quarterfinals seat despite its second straight setback, wound up with a 4-5 elimination-round record.