INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Japeth Aguilar made key shots down the stretch, teaming up with Arwind Santos to help the Powerade-Team Pilipinas squad slip past the visiting Soldiers for Christ, 100-94, in an exhibition match at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Aguilar nailed a three-point play and had two free throws while Santos provided a clutch basket as the Nationals took a 97-89 spread going into the final 2:31 to seal the victory.

“(Japeth) showed a lot of potential, but at the same time, he has a lot to learn yet,” said national coach Yeng Guiao after the match.

Aguilar finished with eight points, six rebounds and four blocks before hitting the bench with 2 minutes left with a jammed finger.

The Nationals, though, benefited from three Burger King players loaned to the squad in the absence of several players who are either still on vacation or playing in the current Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup finals.

Wynne Arboleda, Beau Belga and Mark Yee hit clutch baskets in the third period to help the Nationals rally back from as many as 13 points down.

The scores:
POWERADE RP 100—Santos 22, Yap 18, Raymundo 13, Arboleda 9, Yee, 9, De Ocampo 9, Miller 8, Aguilar 8, Belga 4.

SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST 96—Morgan 21, Oliver 20, Alexander 17, McFadden 13, Amenra 11, Crawford 5, Green 4, Dooley 3, Johnson 0.
Quarters: 13-22, 39-49, 69-69, 100-94