Game 3 hero Japeth Aguilar. PBA IMAGES
Japeth Aguilar nailed the winner at the buzzer as Ginebra fended off defending champions San Miguel, 97-96, to regain the edge in the semifinal round of the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the Kings down 95-96, Sol Mercado drove the left lane and kicked the ball to Aguilar, who connected on an uncontested jumper to give the crowd darlings a 2-1 series lead—just one win away from a return to the Finals.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone couldn’t help but smile, calling the game with a crowd of 14,253 in attendance “fun.”
“That was a fun game, it was a hard game, well-fought, both teams played in the highest of their capacity,” said Cone. “Japeth, he was so calm when he shot that ball, no rush. He hit big shots in his career, and that is nothing new to Japeth.”
“I’ll smile about it now, and I’d be crushed if I was on the other side.”
Arwind Santos gave the Beermen a 96-95 lead with 50 seconds remaining on clock but he could not extend their lead when Mercado bothered him on a fastbreak layup attempt in San Miguel’s next possession.
Scottie Thompson was magnificent for Ginebra as he finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists with zero turnovers, making him the first homegrown rookie since Johnny Abbarientos did the feat 23 years ago.
LA Tenorio was just one assist shy of making his own triple double when he finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and nine dimes while Justin Brownlee carried the offensive load with a game-high 25 points.
Aguilar also eclipsed the 20-point mark with 22 points to go along eight boards.
Elijah Millsap led San Miguel with 24 points, but labored in an 8-of-26 shooting night while Marcio Lassiter and Santos pitched in 15 points apiece.
Defending MVP June Mar Fajardo had 11 points and 12 rebounds in a game where he hobbled with five fouls.
Game 4 in on Sunday also at the Big Dome with the Kings getting their first crack at the title round, their first since the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
The scores
GINEBRA 97 – Brownlee 25, Aguilar 22, Tenorio 20, Thompson 12, Devance 5, Mariano 4, Helterbrand 3, Caguioa 2, Cruz 2, Mercado 2, Marcelo 0.
SAN MIGUEL 96 – Millsap 24, Lassiter 15, Santos 15, Cabagnot 13, Fajardo 11, Tubid 10, Ross 8, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 29-28, 51-55, 78-77, 97-96