Ginebra’s Aguilar, Slaughter too much for Air21

PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Towering frontcourt tandem of Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter imposed their will as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel quelled an Air21 uprising to win, 78-69, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Aguilar and Slaughter combined for 41 points, 22 rebounds and 11 blocks to anchor the Kings, who upped their record to 6-1, on both ends of the floor.

“We had a bad start and we just recovered in the second quarter. They (Air21) made adjustments but we stuck through our defensive game plan,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin in Filipino. “Fortunately, our game plan worked in the end.”

The Kings picked up the pace in the second quarter and appeared on their way to an easy victory after leading, 52-34, at one-point in the third quarter before the Express, behind by Joseph Yeo, made things interesting as they pulled to within five thrice in the final 5:30 of the game.

Yeo atoned for his scoreless outing in an 88-90 loss to league-leader Petron Blaze last week with a game-high 28 points, 21 in the second half, including a pair of drives that trimmed Ginebra’s lead down to five, 72-67, with 3:52 left.

Aguilar, who finished with team-highs 22 points and 12 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, answered to stretch his team’s lead back to seven before Mac Cardona scored on a rare basket to get it back down to five, 74-69.

A putback by Slaughter off the Kings’ third try at the rim succeeded by a pair of turnovers by the Express and two free throws by Aguilar sealed the game.

Seven-foot Slaughter wound up with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks — besting veteran Asi Taulava’s eight-point, 13-rebound output.

Cardona was shut down with just four points on two-of-13 shooting from the field to go along with two turnovers in 27 minutes.

“It’s a big help we were able to control Mac (Cardona). Yeo scored in his place but we’ll take it because it’s not the both of them scoring,” Agustin said of his team’s defense.

“He’s trying his best even though he is up against the veterans in this league. We always remind him of our game plan and of course he is also active on both ends and is coachable,” Agustin said of Slaughter.

Athletic swingman Chris Ellis also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds with an ailing Mark Caguioa still playing limited minutes.

The Express, who also drew 14 points from Niño Canaleta and eight points and 10 rebounds from rookie Eric Camson, fell to 1-7.