With Caguioa pouring 15 in the second half, the Kings sustained the momentum of a decisive second-quarter romp on the way to a 98-86 win over the San Miguel Beermen before a good crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.
Eric Menk and Jayjay Helterbrand also made their presence felt as the Kings got past the team that beat them in a classic title duel in the most recent Fiesta Conference.
"We caught them off-guard. They relaxed a bit as they're probably still feeling championship high. On our part, we just don't want to get beaten again," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
"It's just a first game. Everybody's feeling around, trying to get right chemistry. But it's nice to win. Hopefully, we can get to sustain it throughout the conference," Uichico added.
The Beermen started well but were outmaneuvered and outplayed by the Kings in the last three quarters of the game marred by two flagrant fouls committed by Danny Ildefonso and Denok Miranda on the cocky Ronald Tubid.
Caguioa returned from a long layoff with a flourish, going 7-of-12 from the field and also coming through with two free throws, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 28 minutes of action.
Uichico said the prolific guard/forward is just about 80 percent back in shape.
"His rehab and strengthening are still going on. Hopefully, he regains his old form during the season," said Uichico of Caguioa who missed the 2008-09 campaign due to knee surgeries.
Menk paced the Kings with 18 points that went with nine rebounds while Helterbrand, the 2009 league MVP, shared 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Danny Ildefonso led all scorers with 19 points.
The Kings hit their strides in the second period, converting 57.9 percent of their shots to surge ahead, 49-43, at halftime.
They were off to a slow start, outplayed by the Beermen early on as they trailed at 21-29 in the opening period.
Ildefonso was productive coming off the bench, piling up 14 points on 7-of-10 field-goal shooting in the first 24 minutes of play. Menk had nine points and four rebounds also coming off the bench for the Kings. (SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 98 -- Menk 18, Caguioa 17, Helterbrand 17, Tubid 12, Wilson 10, Mamaril 7, Villanueva 6, Intal 4, Baguio 4, Cruz 3, Alvarez 0.
San Miguel 86 -- Ildefonso 19, Cortez 10, Santos 9, Villanueva 8, Hontiveros 8, Miranda 7, Pennisi 7, Tugade 6, Pena 6, Eman 4, Racela 2, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 21-29, 49-43, 75-65, 98-86
