MARK Caguioa proved to be coach Tim Cone’s 'magic bunot' on Monday night, providing quality minutes off the bench for Ginebra in its 73-62 win over Star in Game Three of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series.
After not seeing action in the series opener and playing just seven minutes in Game Two, the Gin Kings star looked headed for another uneventful night as he sat on the bench the entire first half.
But in the middle of a see-saw battle, Cone fielded Caguioa with three minutes and 24 seconds left in the third quarter and immediately lived up to this moniker.
[See Sol Mercado saves the day for Ginebra]
The Spark fired eight points – his second-highest output this conference – on 3-of-6 shooting, his last conversion a jumper that put the Gin Kings ahead for good at 61-60 and sparked their 14-2 finishing kick.
Cone made special mention of Caguioa as soon as he sat for the post-game conference.
“I thought Mark was really key,” the champion coach added later in the forum.
Caguioa completed his night with one rebound, one assist, and one block in 12 minutes.
The longtime face of the Ginebra franchise, though, politely declined to grant an interview after the game.
[See Ginebra hero Sol Mercado deflects credit to fans prayers--including from ex-fiance's mom]
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