Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar dunks during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Converge in San Fernando, Pampanga.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Japeth Aguilar stepped up to the challenge of facing the frontline duo of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana as Barangay Ginebra clobbered Converge, 85-66, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Aguilar finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as the Gin Kings bounced back from their midweek defeat at the hands of the NLEX Road Warriors to go 3-2 for a three-way share of third to fifth places with the San Miguel Beermen and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
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The veteran big man had to exit the game with three minutes left in the contest due to cramps, though Ginebra was on its way to victory and was up by a wide margin.
Ginebra was in control the whole time as Converge couldn’t close the margin in the second half in the out-of-town match that was considered prior as a “home game” of sorts for the FiberXers given their vast Kapampangan roots.
One of those was Baltazar, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds. But Arana was held to nine points and 11 rebounds as Converge dropped to 4-3 for sixth.
READ: PBA: NLEX thwarts Ginebra comeback to push streak
Converge also saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
Ginebra lost to NLEX, 89-86, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Wednesday as Aguilar had only seven points and nine rebounds.
The Gin Kings return to Ninoy on Wednesday against the struggling Blackwater Bossing while the FiberXers try to redeem themselves two days later at Philsports Arena in Pasig City by facing the NorthPort Batang Pier.
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