THIS is the perfect time for Barangay Ginebra to unleash the 'Never Say Die' spirit.
Big man Japeth Aguilar considers Game 3 of the Gin Kings’ PBA Governors Cup title series against the TNT a must-win - or else they could find themselves digging an even bigger hole to crawl out from.
“Hindi puwedeng malamangan kami nang malamangan sa series. We’re down 2-0,” admitted the veteran power forward. “Game 3, kailangan na namin ma-figure out ito.”
Aguilar and Co. have found tehmselves with their backs against the wall following a 96-84 loss in Game 2, and certainly, another loss would be too costly for Ginebra’s campaign to regain the crown.
Vintage Japeth
Playing in one of the finest conferences of his career, the 37-year-old Aguilar has been the lone force in the middle for the Gin Kings, alternately manning the frontcourt with import Justin Brownlee owing to injuries to the likes of Jamie Malonzo, Isaac Go, and the comebacking Joe Devance.
READ: Brownlee, all of Ginebra out to make presence felt in Game 3 vs TNT
So far, he’s been averaging 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 30 minutes in the finals, while defending Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Poy Erram, and Kelly Williams.
Aguilar said he doesn’t mind not having a reliever in the frontcourt, but gave credit to the Tropang Giga defense for keeping the Ginebra offense from clicking.
“Ang galing ng ginawa ng TNT, na-distract nila yung offense namin,” he said. “Kahit anong adjustment namin, may adjustment din yung defense nila. Hindi rin kami maka-stop.”
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