Aguilar’s 3 saves day anew as Ginebra rallies past Meralco
Japeth Aguilar (center). KC Cruz of PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines — Japeth Aguilar buried a triple at the buzzer as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rose from five points down in the final 15 seconds to stun Meralco, 83-82, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Aguilar finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to lead the Kings, who barely kept their solo lead in the standings with a 9-1 record – fanning their winning streak to six games.
Article continues after this advertisementIt was Aguilar’s second game-winning 3-pointer after his trey lifted Ginebra over Talk ‘N Text last December 8.
“I just thought if we lose, we lose and if I get the ball, same with Talk ‘N Text (game), I’m going to take the shot,” said the athletic six-foot-nine forward Aguilar.
“Same play but with a lot of options,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin. “Credit to our big guys. My two big guys hit two crucial shots but also give credit to Meralco they played great on defense. They were also able to contain our shooters. We just got the breaks of the game.
Article continues after this advertisementBefore Aguilar’s triple, backup big man Jayr Reyes also knocked down a trey that cut the Bolts’ lead down to two, 82-80, with 12.8 ticks left.
John Wilson missed two crucial free throws a second later that paved the way for Aguilar’s clutch basket.
“Jayr’s shot was really crucial. I know he’s a shooter but I told him to work more on his post-game and I told him it will come that I will make you hit a triple,” said Agustin.
Meralco muffed five free throws in the final 1:30 of the game and those misses left the door open for Ginebra to come back and steal the win.
Jared Dillinger had 16 points, including a scoop shot over Aguilar and Greg Slaughter that put the Bolts ahead, 81-75, with just a minute to go.
Aguilar quickly answered with a hook shot over Reynel Hugnatan but he would miss a three on Ginebra’s next offensive play followed by an errant pass by Mark Caguioa with the Kings down, 77-81, with under 20 seconds remaining.
Wilson went one-of-two at the line before Reyes sank a left corner three that got Ginebra to within two. Wilson missed two more freebies as Aguilar uncorked a step back trey over Hugnatan as the predominantly Ginebra crowd went delirious.
Slaughter topscored with 17 points on top of 11 rebounds and three rejections while Ginebra’s other forward Mac Baracael had 14 points and chief playmaker LA Tenorio collecting 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Bolts slid to 3-7 and absorbed their fourth straight setback. They came so close to repeating their 100-87 win over the Kings last December 3.
Veteran bruiser Reynel Hugnatan stood toe-to-toe against Ginebra’s towering frontline and wound up with a solid 13 points and seven rebounds for the Bolts, whose quickness posed problems for the Kings.
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