PBA: Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra gun for 2-0 lead vs San Miguel after dramatic Game 1 comeback

After clawing back from an 18-point deficit to steal Game 1, Barangay Ginebra looks to ride that momentum into Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against San Miguel on Friday, June 27.

Gametime is set at 5 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The match will be streamed live on One Sports’ YouTube channel.

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The Barangay showed their trademark poise and grit in the series opener, turning a 25-43 deficit into a 73-71 victory behind a balanced effort led by Japeth Aguilar, who delivered 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a key block. Scottie Thompson, despite battling cramps, chipped in 16 points, eight rebounds, and a crucial steal down the stretch.

It was Raymond Aguilar, though, who provided the unexpected spark off the bench, igniting a second-quarter rally that shifted the momentum in Ginebra’s favor.

Now with a 1-0 lead, Ginebra is eyeing a crucial 2-0 cushion in what many expect to be a drawn-out battle between two All-Filipino heavyweights.

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The status of June Mar Fajardo, who was held to just six points while playing through a calf injury, remains uncertain for Game 2—an opening the Gin Kings hope to exploit again.

With confidence and composure on their side, coach Tim Cone’s wards are out to prove they can go toe-to-toe with the most dominant Philippine Cup team of the last decade.

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(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)

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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]