Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar vs NLEX’s Don Trollano. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra righted the ship just in time to pull the rug from under NLEX, 83-75, and return to the PBA Philippine Cup’s win column Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Japeth Aguilar starred with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks as the Gin Kings battled back from 19 points and rebound from a narrow loss to sister team Magnolia last week.
“We really had a bad, slow start. NLEX came in scorching. We thought we were never going to come back,” Aguilar said of the 19-point deficit the Gin Kings overhauled to rise to 3-1 in the race.
“I think we did a really good job staying in the game, battling. I struggled mentally in that first half trying to figure out what to do We made huge adjustments in the second half—things we didn’t do at practice,” added coach Tim Cone who is set to fly out to the United States to serve as Miami Heat’s assistant coach in the NBA Summer League by the end of the month.
Arvin Tolentino added 17 points, Scottie Thompson 15, LA Tenorio, and Christian Standhardinger 10.
NLEX drew 16 points from Kevin Alas. Calvin Oftana added 15, while Don Trollano 12 more as the Road Warriors slid to 2-2.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 83 – J. Aguilar 20, Tolentino 17, Thompson 15, Tenorio 10, Standhardinger 10, Pinto 5, Caperal 2, Chan 2, Mariano 2, David 0.
NLEX 75 – Alas 16, Oftana 15, Trollano 12, Chua 8, Rosales 8, Paniamogan 5, Soyud 4, Fonacier 3, Quiñahan 2, Magat 2, Ighalo 0, Miranda 0, Semerad 0.
Quarters: 17-28, 32-45, 58-63, 83-75.