BARANGAY Ginebra cruised to a 101-80 win over Terrafirma on Wednesday in its first game of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Japeth Aguilar had 30 points for the Gin Kings, who ended the first quarter with a 30-17 lead and never looked back as they begin their first game of the season without Justin Brownlee being an all-local tournament.
Incidentally, Brownlee is celebrating his 37th birthday on April 23.
The win was also a good warm-up for Barangay Ginebra ahead of its marquee game against San Miguel on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Terrafirma fell to 1-3 in a game where Terrence Romeo did not play.
READ: Scottie admits adjustments for Ginebra sans Brownlee in PH Cup
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone noted the importance of not taking Terrafirma for granted especially with the San Miguel game in sight. Cone said the Gins have also moved on from the runner-up finish against TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Our guys are really good at moving forward and moving on. We don’t look back. We are motivated because it’s an all-Filipino and we want to get off and get our feet wet today and try to get a win under our belts,” said Cone.
RJ Abarrientos supplied 14 points and seven assists, while Scottie Thompson had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists for Ginebra.
Thompson also had one steal, his 500th of his career, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
CJ Catapusan had 14 points to lead Terrafirma but the Dyip still slumped to their third consecutive defeat.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 101 – J. Aguilar 30, Abarrientos 14, Thompson 11, Holt 10, Ahanmisi 9, Pinto 8, Gray 6, Rosario 5, R. Aguilar 4, Mariano 2, Adamos 2, Cu 0, Pessumal 0.
Terrafirma 80 – Catapusan 14, Nonoy 13, Sangalang 12, Ramos 11, Pringle 9, Ferrer 7, Zaldivar 7, Melecio 4, Paraiso 2, Hernandez 1, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.
Quarters: 30-17; 51-35; 75-59; 101-80.
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