Make it a double celebration for the Gin Kings.
Mark Caguioa has finally reached 10,000 career points, and his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defeated the NLEX Road Warriors, 106-92, for their third straight win in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, Friday night at SMART Araneta Colisem.
The future Hall of Famer made his 10,000th point with 1:10 left to play through an elbow jumper off a Scottie Thompson dime. Caguioa finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting alongside eight rebounds.
Caguioa is the second active player next to James Yap and the 15th local player in league history to achieve the feat.
“I’m honored to be part of Mark Caguioa’s 10,00 points. He’s had a hell of a career. He’s a special player and a special person. He deserves it,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “Mark has really been special to the team.”
With the victory, the Barangay now have a firm hold on the top spot of the team standings with a 6-1 card, sending both the Magnolia Hotshots and the Blackwater down to the second spot with identical 5-1 records.
Justin Brownlee paced Ginebra with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Japeth Aguilar had 17 points, six boards, and three dimes, while LA Tenorio made 17 markers as well. Aljon Mariano had 10 points and eight caroms.
The Barangay started to pull away in the third quarter after leading by just a point at the half. They would go on to lead by as many as 24, 96-72, after Kevin Ferrer’s three-pointer with seven minutes remaining in the final frame.
Larry Fonacier led the Road Warriors with 21 points. Aaron Fuller had 20 markers and 19 rebounds in the loss that sent them down to 4-3.
Ginebra will look to make it four in a row on Sunday, October 7, in Santa Rosa, Laguna as they take on rivals Meralco Bolts. NLEX will aim to bounce back versus the Phoenix Fuel Masters this Wednesday, October 10.
The Scores:
Ginebra 106 – Brownlee 26, Aguilar 17, Tenorio 17, Caguioa 16, Mariano 10, Chan 6, Caperal 6, Ferrer 5, Manuel 2, Thompson 1, Aguilar R. 0.
NLEX 92 – Fonacier 21, Fuller 20, Quinahan 13, Paniamogan 10, Tiongson 9, Mallari 8, Miranda 8, Taulava 3, Rios 0, Ighalo 0, Baguio 0, Galanza 0, Tallo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 42-41, 82-65, 106-92.
