MIXED EMOTIONS
Barangay Ginebra’s win over Blackwater, especially with the way it ended, gave its legion of fans something to be happy about.
But coach Tim Cone sees the manner by which his team climbed to 5-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup standings somewhat differently.
“I’m very happy we got the win, but I’m not too happy about the process it took to get this point,” Cone said after Japeth Aguilar’s baseline shot with a second left sealed a 101-99 victory late Friday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Aguilar’s jumper off Scottie Thompson’s pass enabled the Gin Kings to pull off an escape act over a Bossing side that came into the contest with just one win in six matches, but was resolute all throughout behind Sedrick Barefield, RK Ilagan, Christian David and Troy Mallillin.
“We allowed them to really get into a rhythm and made it difficult for us to find ways to stop those guys,” Cone said. “[But] for the fans, it’s a good game and it came down to the big shot in the end.”
That big shot came from Aguilar, who finished with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. While known by casuals for his two-handed dunks, Aguilar has had his share of game-winners since joining Ginebra in 2013.
And Friday night was no different.
“Japeth has made so many big shots in his career and he hits another one just like in the old days,” Cone said of Aguilar. Social media was quick to list some of Aguilar’s clutch heroics, including the one against Meralco in 2013 and a similar baseline shot against San Miguel Beer in the semifinals of the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
Difficult stretch
Aguilar and Ginebra got another important win before going into a difficult stretch to finish the eliminations, with Meralco on Friday and Magnolia the following Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum before facing TNT on June 7 and Rain or Shine on June 15.
“Credit to Blackwater because they played a great game,” Aguilar said. “But we need these kinds of games and make sure that we take care of business.”
Blackwater fell short of an upset heading into another difficult matchup on Sunday, also at PhilSports, when it faces San Miguel Beer at 5 p.m. The Beermen, tied with the Gin Kings at 5-2, look to get back into third spot with a win.
NLEX faces Meralco at 7:30 p.m. with a chance to secure a spot in the quarterfinals if it can snatch a seventh win in eight matches.
Magnolia could become the first team to qualify for the quarters with a victory over NorthPort at press time in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
