BARANGAY Ginebra chalked up its first win in dominant fashion, outplaying TNT, 92-77, on Wednesday in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings went on a 33-16 binge in the first quarter and never looked back to even their record after losing to Magnolia in the season opener on October 5.
Japeth Aguilar had 17 points including seven in that telling first quarter for Barangay Ginebra, while RJ Abarrientos had 14 markers in the win.
Troy Rosario also notched a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Scottie Thompson bounced back from his scoreless outing against Magnolia with a near double-double of 10 points and nine assists.
Lenghty break gives Ginebra a breakthrough
The Gin Kings were a lot sharper after getting the luxury of 10 days in between games before the TNT clash.
Barangay Ginebra even led by 40-16 in the second quarter, and was not seriously threatened by TNT in the game. Six players later scored in double digits for the Gin Kings.
“Last game against Magnolia, obviously we weren’t clicking at all in that game. Tonight, we were obviously clicking from all cylinders. I think the big difference was that break that we had,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“We were the last team back from practice because of the Gilas that was going on so guys like Japeth and Scottie and then our coaching staff was with LA Tenorio in Mongolia (for Gilas Pilipinas Youth). We gave them extra time off. We were really not a full team through most of our preparation before our first game. This last week, we really got down to business and a better understanding of how we wanted to play,” said Cone.
Simon Enciso had 17 points and shot 5 of 7 from three-point distance, while Kevin Ferrer had 11 but they were the only double-digit scorer for the Tropang 5G.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 92 – J. Aguilar 17, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 13, Thompson 10, Holt 10, Torres 10, Gray 10, Gray 8, Estil 7, David 3, Pinto 0, Cu 0.
TNT 77 – Enciso 17, Ferrer 11, Pogoy 9, Galinato 8, Williams 8, Khobuntin 7, Oftana 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Nambatac 3, Hill 2, Heading 1, Jalalon 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 33-16; 45-30; 68-48; 92-77.
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