Ginebra seals semis spot, ousts Rain or Shine

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra held off Rain or Shine, 99-91, to arrange a semifinals showdown with defending champion San Miguel Beer in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Japeth Aguilar came up big on both ends, posting 27 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks for the Gin Kings, who swept the Elasto Painters in their best-of-three quarterfinals series.

Barangay Ginebra held off Rain or Shine, 99-91, to arrange a semifinals showdown with defending champion San Miguel Beer in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Japeth Aguilar came up big on both ends, posting 27 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks for the Gin Kings, who swept the Elasto Painters in their best-of-three quarterfinals series.

“Wow. What a relief. It’s always a big relief to get through the quarters,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

“To me, the quarters series is the hardest series to win just because there’s so much pressure on you to make the semis all the time.”

Fortunately for Cone, he has the players to rely on when the going gets tough.

With Rain or Shine still in the thick of the fight midway through the final frame, Ginebra drew crucial plays from the likes of Sol Mercado, Joe Devance and Aguilar.

Aguilar hit the biggest shot of the game, sinking a short baseline jumper that extended the Kings’ lead to seven, 96-89, with 55.3 seconds left.

Jervy Cruz and LA Tenorio also played key roles in the victory, finishing with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Raymond Almazan led the Painters with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Maverick Ahanmisi scored a team-high 18.