MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings roared back to winning form behind a monstrous second-half eruption from Japeth Aguilar, crushing the NLEX Road Warriors, 104-74, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Sunday night.
After a quiet first half where he managed only two baskets, Aguilar unleashed 21 points in the third and fourth quarters to finish with a team-high 25, steering the Gin Kings to their second win in five games.
Stephen Holt complemented Aguilar’s fireworks with 20 points, 10 of which came in the opening frame, while Earl Scottie Thompson delivered an all-around performance of 12 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds.
Ginebra blew an early 17-point cushion but rediscovered its rhythm after halftime. Aguilar spearheaded a decisive third-quarter onslaught that put the Kings ahead, 72-59. The surge continued in the payoff period, with contributions from Ralph Cu, Thompson, and Holt, ballooning the lead to as much as 25 points with just over two minutes left.
Xyrus Torres paced NLEX with 17 points, while Jonnel Policarpio and Dominick Fajardo added 13 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Road Warriors slipped to a 4-2 record.
In the earlier game, Juan Miguel Tiongson caught fire in the final quarter to lift the defending champion San Miguel Beermen past the Converge FiberXers, 96-90.
Holding a narrow 76-75 lead, Tiongson scored 14 points in the last period, including two free throws and back-to-back triples that widened the gap. June Mar Fajardo dominated with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while CJ Perez chipped in 13.
The victory allowed San Miguel to improve to 3-2, matching Converge’s record./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 104 – J. Aguilar 25, Holt 20, Thompson 12, Gray 9, Rosario 9, Cu 7, Torres 4, Abarrientos 4, Estil 4, R. Aguilar 4, Pinto 4, David 2.
NLEX 74 – Torres 17, Policarpio 13, Fajardo 10, Capulong 9, Bahio 8, Alas 7, Mocon 4, Bolick 4, Ramirez 2, Valdez 0, Herndon 0, Nieto 0, Rodger 0, Amer 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-11, 40-33, 72-59, 104-74
