Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar. PBA IMAGES
Without import Paul Harris to end the game, Ginebra held off a furious GlobalPort crew to score a 93-81 victory at the start of its 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Japeth Aguilar stepped up in the absence of the Gin Kings’ reinforcement and uncorked 14 of his 21 points in the second half to help his team pull away from the Batang Pier. He also had six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the win.
Chris Ellis also was stellar in that closing frame, firing eight of his 10 markers that went alongside four rebounds, to help Ginebra erect a 12-point lead, 93-81.
“One of the things that we’ve always tried to emphasize is developing character and winning through your character and not your talent. I think tonight is a big step in that direction in terms of just guys gutting it out, playing with great guts,” said coach Tim Cone.
Sol Mercado also had 12 points, four boards, and four assists, while LA Tenorio and Joe Devance both got 10.
Not everything went the way of the Gin Kings, though.
Harris hurt his right thumb that was later on ruled as an open fracture, leaving the game with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter. He ended up with 14 points and 10 rebounds in his first game in Ginebra.
“We won the battle today, but I hope we didn’t lose the war,” quipped Cone.
Stanley Pringle topped GlobalPort with 26 points on a 4-of-8 shooting from three along with six rebounds, while Dominique Sutton had a double-double of 18 markers and 15 boards.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 93 – Aguilar 21, Harris 14, Mercado 12, Devance 10, Ellis 10, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Helterbrand 3, Cruz 2, Marcelo 2, Mariano 2, Thompson 1.
GLOBALPORT 81 – Pringle 26, Sutton 18, Romeo 15, Yeo 8, Isip 5, Taha 4, Kramer 3, Dehesa 2, Banal 0, Paredes 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 25-30, 44-47, 62-61, 93-81.