Ginebra spoiled the TNT debut of Jordan Heading as it leaned on a scintillating start to run away with an important win in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Ginebra overpowered TNT when they faced each other Sunday night, June 8.
Shots were falling early on for the Gin Kings, who opened the match with a 13-0 tear that set the tone for the rest of their 97-78 win over The Tropang 5G in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Ginebra thus got a measure of revenge on the team that bested them in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup finale.
The Gin Kings improved to a share of the third spot with Magnolia with their identical 7-3 cards, and boosted their chances of securing a twice-to-beat advantage rewarded to the Top 4 teams at the end of the eliminations.
Tim Cone was not really making a big deal of their 19-point romp over the Grand Slam-seeking squad. Early in the third period, his charges led by as many as 32 points, 59-27.
“It’s an elimination game. They’re coming off a six-game winning streak. They played the day before yesterday. I just don’t think they were that ready for our intensity tonight,” said the Ginebra mentor, whose team moved a victory away from clinching a playoff bonus.
RJ Abarrientos led Ginebra with 23 points, four rebounds and four assists. But it was Japeth Aguilar who emerged as Player of the Game with his double-double effort of 20 points and 14 boards.
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Cone and his charges did not allow Jordan Heading the welcome he would have wanted as he finally made his debut for his new team.
Still groping for form after nursing a back injury at the end of the Commissioner’s Cup, Heading scored 10 points on a 4-for-9 shooting in his return to action. He also had three rebounds, an assist and a steal against three turnovers in nearly 20 minutes of play.
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While the Gin Kings were aware that the Tropang 5G had been the hottest team with their six-game winning run and that it was possible that Heading would suit up, they just made sure to focus on things they could control.
“To be really honest, nag-focus lang kami sa sarili namin, sa team. Alam naming they’re coming off a six-game winning streak, but then again, we just focused on ourselves. We can still control our standing, our destiny,” said Aguilar.
It did not help TNT's cause that Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser was ejected in the first period after what appeared to be an elbow to Ginebra ace Troy Rosario's head as they were jockeying for position.
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Calvin Oftana had a quiet first half but still finished with 18 points. He also had three rebounds, an assist, four steals and two blocks.
Ginebra vs. TNT scores:
GINEBRA 97 – Abbarientos 23, J.Aguilar 20, Holt 12, Malonzo 12, Rosario 11, Pinto 6, Thompson 5, R.Aguilar 4, David 2, Gray 2, Adamos 0, Ahanmisi 0, Cu 0.
TNT 78 – Oftana 18, Heading 10, Aurin 9, Pogoy 8, Williams 8, Khobuntin 7, Enciso 5, Nieto 4, Vosotros 3, Erram 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varilla 2, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 30-11, 54-27, 74-50, 97-78.