Mark “The Spark” Caguioa outgunned Gary David in a duel of two prolific scorers as the Barangay Ginebra Kings tripped the Powerade Tigers, 105-96, last night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Caguioa erupted for 31 points, stealing the thunder from highly touted import Jackson Vroman, a four-year NBA veteran.
Vroman scored 19 points in his debut, helping the Kings notch their third win in four games to climb to solo second place behind the league-leading defending champions Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters.
The 6-foot-10 Vroman replaced the 7-foot-11 Chris Alexander, the import who led the Kinngs to the championship the last time the league allowed teams to parade imports of unlimited height.
Mike Cortez scored 15 points and Dylan Ababuo had 10 for the Kings, who made it two-in-a-row after nailing a close 79-78 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their last assignment.
David finished with 23 markers, leading a strong offensive game by the Powerade locals. Marcio Lassiter tallied 19 points and Jvee Casio netted 18 but the Tigers still absorbed a second straight defeat after starting the tournament with two straight victories.
Import Dwayne Jones was held to just 13 markers that contributed to Powerade’s downfall.
Doug Kramer was the fifth Tiger in double figures with 10 points.