With Mark "The Spark" Caguioa raising his level of play more than any other, the Kings now have a good shot at defending their PBA Philippine Cup championship.

This was stressed by Caguioa most when he scored a new career-high 45 points to lift Ginebra to a 118-114 overtime win over Air21 last Sunday, boosting Ginebra to the quarterfinals.

The win was the third in as many games in the wildcard phase for the Kings, insuring their best-of-five meeting with Red Bull starting tomorrow.

It would not have been possible if not for Caguioa’s sterling plays in the week that was, making him the unanimous choice by the PBA Press Corps as its Gran Matador Brandy Player of the Week for the period May 29-June 4.

The 2001 Rookie of the Year had 32 points, six rebounds and as many assists in a 108-96 win over Talk N Text last Wednesday. He followed that up with 18 points and 10 assists in a 108-101 win over Sta. Lucia Realty.

Clearly, however, his best was saved for the Kings’ last game in the round.

The 6-foot off-guard scattered 16 points in the third quarter, poured in 11 in the fourth and added seven in overtime, including a booming triple that gave Ginebra the lead for good at 114-111.