Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Globalport had Ginebra firmly in its grasp for the most part of the two teams’ matchup Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Batang Pier were holding their fort against the constant charges the Gin Kings did for almost 45 minutes.
Then Aljon Mariano connected with Japeth Aguilar for an alley oop dunk with 3:22 left in the game that gave Ginebra a 95-93 lead eventually breaking Globalport’s defenses.
Aguilar’s dunk sparked the Gin King’s game-closing 11-4 run to get the 104-97 victory and Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio said those last three minutes were the bane in their loss.
“We made mistakes on defense, for sure we have to be consistent,” said Jarencio in Filipino after the game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “What went wrong was our defense.”
Stanley Pringle managed to answer Aguilar’s dunk with a triple that gave Globalport a momentary 96-95 lead.
Aguilar, however, wasn’t done as he completed a three-point play with 2:21 left after rolling to the basket and putting home Scottie Thompson’s assist for Ginebra’s 98-96 lead.
“We were double teaming on ball screens, which we shouldn’t have done, and that led to Japeth getting open for the three-point play,” said Jarencio. “Also, we we’re not hitting out shots.”
Globalport had five chances at the basket after Aguilar’s three-point play but missed all of it.
Still, Jarencio kept a positive spirit as Globalport had played in only two games this conference.
“We’re positive, this is a long tournament,” said Jarencio of his 0-2 Batang Pier. “There are still so many games left, as long as we play consistent basketball for not just 45 minutes but 48 minutes we’ll be good.”