Caguioa-David duel spices up Kings-Bolts

MANILA, Philippines - Resurgent Barangay Ginebra battles Meralco tonight with Mark Caguioa expected to face another all-out shootout with Gary David after an exciting duel with Globalport rookie Terrence Romeo.

Caguioa and the Gin Kings try to sustain one of the ballclub’s hottest season starts in years as they tangle with the Bolts in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The rare Tuesday double-header also pits three-time defending champion Talk n Text versus Globalport in the 5:45 p.m. curtain-raiser. The Kings and the Bolts clash at 8 p.m.

It’s an interesting night featuring not just the Caguioa-David match-up but also the face-offs among Globalport’s young talented guards Romeo and RR Garcia versus Talk n Text tested backcourt warriors Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag.

Globalport just came up short the last time against Ginebra in a game where Romeo and Garcia fired 27 and 20 points, respectively, to fuel the Batang Pier’s rally from a 21-point deficit.

Castro, meanwhile, is coming off a career-best 33-point showing versus the Alaska Milk Aces. Alapag contributed 20 markers as the Texters outlasted the Aces, 114-111, in overtime.

“We have to find a way to slow down their guard line of Romeo, Garcia and Sol (Mercado) while also focusing our defense on Jay Washington who has been very productive this conference,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black.

The Texters welcome the TnT debut of veteran player Danny Seigle as they chase a third win in four starts. Relegated to the reserve list on Seigle’s arrival is Ali Peek.

“We also welcome the return of Ranidel de Ocampo. Ali will be put on the reserve list to give his back a chance to heal, and Ryan Reyes will miss the game because he restrained his hamstring the last game,” said Black.

Globalport and Meralco are the underdogs as both try to hit the .500 mark at 2-2.