AFTER its successful 2020 bubble campaign in Clark, Barangay Ginebra found itself scrambling for wins in the 2021 Philippine Cup. The year also saw major trades and the return of the Gin Kings' resident import for the Governors’ Cup. Here are five stories of 2021 for Barangay Ginebra.
EARLY EXIT
Ginebra's defense of the Philippine Cup ended in the quarterfinals, getting booted out by eventual champion TNT. The Gin Kings had to grind their way to the playoffs, winning just four games in the eliminations and beating Phoenix to secure the No. 8 seed only to bow to TNT.
INJURY WOES
Japeth Aguilar had to sit out most of the Philippine Cup due to a sprained MCL. Injuries also remain a problem for Ginebra in the Governors’ Cup as Aljon Mariano, Mark Caguioa, Joe Devance, and Jared Dillinger have not played in the conference, and Stanley Pringle also went down with an injury after one game.
Ginebra sends Arth de la Cruz to Northport for Sidney Onwubere.
GINEBRA DEALS DELA CRUZ
The Gin Kings shipped Arth Dela Cruz to NorthPort in a November deal for Sidney Onwubere, ending his three-year stint with the team. Dela Cruz has mostly been sidelined during his stay with Ginebra, which got a serviceable role player in return in Onwubere following his solid outing with NorthPort during the Philippine Cup.
BROWNLEE RETURNS
With imports back in the PBA, Barangay Ginebra welcomed the return of fan-favorite Justin Brownlee, who had helped the Gin Kings to four championships. Ginebra got off to a strong start with three straight victories including wins over NorthPort and Phoenix last Dec. 17 and 19, respectively, with spectators, but the streak ended with a blowout defeat against Magnolia in their Christmas Day showdown.
Ginebra got the 2019 Bost Player of the Governors' Cup, Christian Standhardinger, by trading Greg Slaughter, who won the same award two years before.
CSTAN-SLAUGHTER TRADE
Ginebra pulled off one of the biggest trades of the year, giving up Greg Slaughter to NorthPort for Christian Standhardinger last March. The deal was made after Slaughter, who played for Ginebra since being drafted first overall in 2013, ended his sabbatical that began following a title in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, the conference where Standhardinger won the Best Player of the Conference plum.
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