FROM hero to almost zero.
After hitting the game-winning jumper in Barangay Ginebra’s 97-96 win in Game Three, Japeth Aguilar was nearly held scoreless in the Gin Kings’ 101-72 loss to San Miguel Beer on Sunday night that sent their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series to a deciding game.
The Gin Kings star forward was limited to a measly point after missing all his six shots. He grabbed only two rebounds, and didn’t block a single shot in 21 minutes as a starter.
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“I tried,” Aguilar insisted. “Kanina, nung medyo gusto kong pumasok sa lane, andun (yung defense) eh, so ginagawa ko kini-kick out ko. Hindi ako nagpipilit dun sa offense. I just really wanted to play defense. I just want the offense to come to me.
“Nung bandang third quarter, medyo nagpilit na ako, pero … we just want to move on,” he added.
Asked if he’s worried that his off night will carry over to the deciding game, Aguilar disagreed. And he vowed to bring his A-game for the Gin Kings to advance to finals for the first time in three years.
“No, but for us to win, we have to play the best game of our life — all of us, from the starting five all the way to the bench,” the athletic forward said.