Ginebra trips Barako Bull, barges into the semis

Mark Caguioa vs Ronald Tubid and Don Allado. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Mark Caguioa scored seven of the last nine points as Ginebra tripped a skidding Barako Bull, 102-91, and barged into the semifinals of the 2012 PBA Governors Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Caguioa knocked down a triple, nailed a jumper then made two free throws in the final minute-and-a-half, which stymied the Energy for good, leading to the Gin Kings’ back-to-back victories.

Caguioa finished with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists, providing the spark in the offense for Ginebra, which upped its record to 5-4, alongside import Cedric Bozeman.

Bozeman flirted with a triple double as he finished with 28 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

A 14-4 roll by the Ginebra, kickstarted by a crucial triple by Bozeman in the three-minute mark, turned the tide in favor of the Gin Kings after momentarily losing the lead.

The victory was crucial for Ginebra in such a short elimination round as it assured an outright entry to the semifinals.

After a hot start in the conference, Barako Bull just lost its bearing and careened to its third straight loss for a 3-5 card, virtually dooming its chances to advance.

The Energy, though, was close to stealing the thunder in the final period as they grabbed the lead with a basket from Doug Kramer, 79-78.

After that run, which started with a determined comeback at the end of the third as Barako Bull inched within a point, Barako Bull lost steam in the offense.

Leroy Hickerson churned out 21 points and seven rebounds on a losing effort for Barako Bull.