Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra (dark) blocks Jason Castro of Talk N Text (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rode on the late-game heroics of Japeth Aguilar to rally past defending champion Talk ‘N Text, 97-95, in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aguilar drilled in the game-winning three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left before preserving the Kings’ win with a denial on Ranidel de Ocampo’s potential game-tying jumper as time ran out.
“Our last play was really for Japeth (Aguilar) and it was a pick and roll with LA (Tenorio). I told them to attack the basket because they (Talk ‘N Text) are already in the penalty,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin after his squad claimed solo second place at 4-1 just half a game behind unbeaten Petron Blaze.
Though the Kings’ last offensive possession didn’t exactly went as what Agustin had mapped out in the huddle, the ball still ended up with Aguilar’s hands and at the bottom of the net.
Ginebra came back from 14 points down late in the third quarter with Aguilar, who did his damage on both ends of the floor with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks, also giving his team a taste of the lead, 87-86, since trailing 56-70 also on a trey.
Jayson Castro scored 27 points while Larry Fonacier had 23 points, including a high-arching jumper over Aguilar that gave the Tropang Texters a 95-94 edge with 34.1 ticks remaining before Aguilar’s go-ahead triple.
TNT, which slid to 3-3, actually had the chance to go up by three but Noy Baclao blew two free throws with 24 seconds left.
Swingman Chris Ellis added 17 points and Greg Slaughter had 16 points and nine rebounds while Mac Baracael scored all of his 12 points in the final frame — giving Ginebra a much-needed boost off-the-bench with LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa limited.