PBA: Caguioa named Best Local, Bowles named Best Import of Commissioner's Cup

Mark "The Spark" Caguioa of the Barangay Ginebra Kings was named Best Player of the Conference and B-MEG Llamados' Denzel Bowles was named Best Import of the Conference in a short ceremony Sunday, before game four of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Caguioa was adjudged best local of the tourney, with averages of 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a steal per game in 32.6 minutes (over 10 games). And in this Commissioner's Cup, he lived up to his nickname, sparking Ginebra to an automatic ticket to the semifinals. However, in a twist of fate, Caguioa suffered an eye injury in the playoff for the second seed in the standings, against BGK's sister team B-MEG Llamados. As a result, he was forced to sit out the post-season, resulting in his side falling in four games in their best-of-five semis series, also against B-MEG. Bowles on the other hand drew raves for his steady, stellar play, norming 25.65 points, 11.95 rebounds, 3.10 assists, and 1.75 blocks in 37.65 minutes (over 20 games). With him dominating the paint, the Llamados posted a 6-3 record, and though they lost the aforementioned playoff versus BGK, they rebounded with impressive series victories en route to the Finals. The other four nominees for the Best Player of the Conference award included Alaska Aces teammates Cyrus Baguio and LA Tenorio, Powerade Tiger Gary David, and his former teammate, now a Petron Blaze Booster, Marcio Lassiter. In addition to Bowles, his current Finals match-up, Talk 'N Text's Denzel Bowles, Ginebra's Jackson Vroman, and Barako Bull Energy's last-minute import replacement Gabe Freeman were also considered for the Best Import plume. A combination of statistical points, media votes, player votes, and PBA Commissioner's Office votes determine the recipients of the award. - AMD/KG, GMA News