TNT and Barangay Ginebra got off to contrasting starts in their PBA Philippine Cup campaigns.
Fresh from winning the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, the Tropang 5G appeared sluggish and fell prey against the NLEX Road Warriors, 91-74.
Runner up to TNT last conference, the Kings meanwhile, warmed up and cruised to a 101-80 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip.
READ: Japeth dominates Terrafirma to lead Ginebra to first PH Cup win
Both teams are playing for the first time in almost a month since TNT beat Ginebra in an epic Game 7 overtime thriller, 87-83, to win the second conference title.
Here are the takeaways in the Wednesday doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum following the Holy Week break.
1.JAPETH AGUILAR REJUVENATED
The veteran big man had a huge game to begin the final conference of a season that had him playing at his best on both ends.
Aguilar finished with a game-high 30 points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots, while scoring on several highlight dunks. The 30-point output was Aguilar’s third for the season and ninth in his PBA career.
The offensive output is a perfect work out for him as he braces for his matchup with close friend, eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo when the Kings battle the San Miguel Beermen in their next outing.
2.ANOTHER CAREER NIGHT FOR SCOTTIE THOMPSON
League chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III is trying to dig deep into his voluminous files as to who was the last PBA player to complete three Career Achievement Award in a season. Or if there was any one who managed to do it?
Nonetheless, the Barangay Ginebra guard is certain to be included in that discussion from now on after he became the newest member of the PBA’s 500th steals club.
'Iskati' earlier reached the 2,000 defensive rebound total and the 2,000 assists output during the Commissioner’s Cup to complete a career treble rarely seen in the history of the league.
His new milestone came two weeks after he was formally welcomed as part of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
3.NLEX FINDS ANOTHER ROOKIE GEM IN JB BAHIO
The former San Beda stalwart was a third round pick in the Season 48 draft, was never signed to a contract by Terrafirma, and was a free agent when the Road Warriors took a gamble on him and signed the power forward to a contract this season.
He repaid the team for the trust by coming through with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while adding four assists in the 17-point demolition of the TNT Tropang 5G.
Bahio helped spark that key third quarter breakaway by the Road Warriors to notch their second straight win. Bahio is the third key rookie player in NLEX’s current roster along with Xyrus Torres and Brandon Ramirez.
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