SOL Mercado of Globalport splits the defense of Ryan Araña and Larry Rodriguez of Rain or Shine. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Japeth Aguilar completed the plays Barangay Ginebra needed on both ends in the dying seconds last night as the Gin Kings escaped with a 97-95 nipping of Talk ‘N Text for solo second place in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aguilar first drained the go-ahead triple with 1.1 seconds left and then deflected the potential game-tying jumper by Ranidel de Ocampo on the other end as the Gin Kings rebounded from their first loss of the season to rise to 4-1, just half-a-game behind idle leader Petron Blaze.
Aguilar wound up with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks.
The Kings erased a 14-point third quarter deficit behind relievers Mac Baracael and Eman Monfort in the fourth period.
Baracael scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, nine of them coming off triples, while Monfort disrupted the Talk ‘N Text offense no end in the final frame with his pressure defense on the TNT point guards.
Jason Castro, after shooting 25 points in the first three periods, was good for just two more in the fourth while being guarded by the much smaller Monfort, while Jimmy Alapag was 0-for-8 from beyond the arc and finished with just seven points.
“The play was for a pick-and-roll for Japeth and for him to take it hard to the hoop,” Ginebra coach Ato Agustin said.
Earlier, Globalport chalked up the franchise’s first winning run in the PBA after fending off Rain or Shine, 90-88, to improve to 3-3.
Jay Washington finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
GLOBALPORT 90—Washington 20, Mercado 20, Garcia 13, Chua 12, Nabong 8, Yee 5, Lingganay 5, Hayes 4, Salvador 2, Romeo 1, Menk 0, Belencion 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 88—Lee 20, Quinahan 14, Norwood 11, Belga 10, Cruz 9, Chan 8, Arana 7, Teng 4, Nuyles 3, Tiu 2, Almazan 0, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 36-35, 70-60, 90-88
Second Game
GINEBRA 97—Aguilar 21, Ellis 17, Slaughter 16, Baracael 12, Ababou 7, Helterbrand 7, Reyes 6, Urbiztondo 6, Caguioa 3, Tenorio 2, Monfort 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 95—Castro 27, Fonacier 23, Anthony 12, De Ocampo 8, Williams 8, Alapag 7, Seigle 5, Baclao 4, Carey 1, Ferriols 0, Poligrates 0.
Quarters: 19-25, 40-43, 68-80, 97-95