Barangay Ginebra battled a streaking Converge team poised to extend its winning streak in what could be its surrogate homecourt, but the Gin Kings, the most popular team in the PBA, came out all locked up and scored a convincing, 85-66, win on Saturday’s Philippine Cup road game at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Defense became the calling card of the Gin Kings, who were led by no less than the pride of Sasmuan, Pampanga — Japeth Aguilar.
The 6-foot-9 athletic big man was solid on both ends of the court, pouring in 23 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking three shots to outplay his younger counterparts — top overall rookie pick Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.
Baltazar, the pride of Mabalacat, also submitted a double-double game of 13 points and 10 boards, while Arana went a point away from posting his own double-double showing, winding up with nine points and 11 rebounds.
But it was clear who was the star of the show as Aguilar’s solid game was also complemented by the Gin Kings’ ample support provided by Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos.
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