Veteran Japeth Aguilar once again stepped up as the Ginebra Gin Kings marched on to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Japeth Aguilar has proven time and again that he remains an elite big in the PBA.
It was none more evident in Ginebra’s 88-80 win over Converge in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals Friday, June 20.
Aguilar shook off the challenge posed by the FiberXers' frontcourt duo of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, and came through with 19 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Though Arana and Baltazar held their own, combining for 28 points and 15 rebounds, Aguilar and the Gin Kings fully utilized their twice-to-beat bonus to block Converge's entry to the semifinals.
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar, though, refused to hog the credit.
“It’s really collective team effort, team defense. We know na hindi namin ma-re-replicate ang laro namin in Pampanga,” said Aguilar, referring to their elimination round win against the same team in his hometown where he led the Gin Kings with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
“Alam namin na this is the quarterfinals, so they’re going to be more aggressive. Talagang they’re going to fight for their conference, their season.”
Japeth Aguilar and the rest of Ginebra frustrate Converge. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Indeed, Converge did not raise the white flag easily. Instead, it staged a late uprising, and Ginebra needed total team effort to withstand that.
The FiberXers rallied from a 16-point hole in the fourth period, punctuated by an Alec Stockton four-pointer to close in, 80-86, with 33.3 ticks left.
But RJ Abarrientos was there to seal the victory for Ginebra with a pair of free throws.
[ALSO READ: Austria, San Miguel salvage pride in PBA PH Cup QF win vs Meralco: 'We redeemed ourselves']
Abarrientos led the team in scoring with 21 points he spiked with five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Jamie Malonzo contributed 14 points and six rebounds, Stephen Holt scored 13, while Troy Rosario added 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.
But while it was Aguilar's night, a daunting task lies ahead: he is set to test his mettle against June Mar Fajardo and his San Miguel Beermen.
“It doesn’t get any easier for Japeth; it doesn't get any easier for us. We know how great San Miguel is,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Ginebra vs. Converge scores:
GINEBRA 88 – Abarrientos 21, J.Aguilar 19, Malonzo 14, Holt 13, Rosario 10, Pinto 5, Thompson 3, Ahanmisi 3, David 0, Adamos 0.
CONVERGE 80 – Arana 15, Baltazar 13, Stockton 12, Winston 10, Garcia 8, Racal 8, Caralipio 6, Corpuz 4, Delos Santos 2, R.Santos 2, B. Santos 0, Suerte 0.
Quarterscores: 21-26, 49-41, 73-59, 88-80.