PBA: Aguilar scores 31 as Ginebra crushes NorthPort to build 2-0 lead | ABS-CBN
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PBA: Aguilar scores 31 as Ginebra crushes NorthPort to build 2-0 lead
Kennedy Caacbay,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 28, 2025 07:54 PM PHT
Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar goes for a dunk in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals. PBA Images
Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar goes for a dunk in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals. PBA ImagesMANILA, Philippines ā Ginebra took down NorthPort with ease, 119-106, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
MANILA, Philippines ā Ginebra took down NorthPort with ease, 119-106, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Gin Kings, led by veteran Japeth Aguilar, are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven semifinals clash.
The Gin Kings, led by veteran Japeth Aguilar, are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven semifinals clash.
Coming into the match, Aguilar and company also dismantled their semis rivals, 115-93, just this Wednesday.
Coming into the match, Aguilar and company also dismantled their semis rivals, 115-93, just this Wednesday.
It was all Ginebra from the get-go as Aguilar opened the ballgame with an explosive dunk. They ended the first frame with a 13-point lead, and had a 29-point 68-39 separation entering the halftime break, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
It was all Ginebra from the get-go as Aguilar opened the ballgame with an explosive dunk. They ended the first frame with a 13-point lead, and had a 29-point 68-39 separation entering the halftime break, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
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Their lead even ballooned to 35 at the 74-39 mark in the third quarter.
Their lead even ballooned to 35 at the 74-39 mark in the third quarter.
The Batang Pier, led by Joshua Munzon, tried to spark some mini-runs in the second half ā they even closed in within 15 points in the final chapter, 104-89, to no avail as Tim Cone put his starters back into the game to maintain the separation and seal the win.
The Batang Pier, led by Joshua Munzon, tried to spark some mini-runs in the second half ā they even closed in within 15 points in the final chapter, 104-89, to no avail as Tim Cone put his starters back into the game to maintain the separation and seal the win.
"I didn't really plan on bringing Japeth and Justin and those guys back into the game. But you know, it's playoffs. You can't mess around with playoffs," said Cone.
"I didn't really plan on bringing Japeth and Justin and those guys back into the game. But you know, it's playoffs. You can't mess around with playoffs," said Cone.
Aguilar posted 31 points on an efficient 11-of-18 clip and collected eight rebounds and a block to earn the Best Player of the Game honors.
Aguilar posted 31 points on an efficient 11-of-18 clip and collected eight rebounds and a block to earn the Best Player of the Game honors.
He also had a lot of help coming from Jamie Malonzo (17 points), Scottie Thompson (16 points), Troy Rosario (11 points), and RJ Abarrientos (11 points).
He also had a lot of help coming from Jamie Malonzo (17 points), Scottie Thompson (16 points), Troy Rosario (11 points), and RJ Abarrientos (11 points).
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Thankfully for coach Cone, Justin Brownlee didn't have to produce that much tonight as he tallied 10 points, although the star import still played the most minutes with 34.
Thankfully for coach Cone, Justin Brownlee didn't have to produce that much tonight as he tallied 10 points, although the star import still played the most minutes with 34.
In comparison, NorthPort reinforcement Kadeem Jack remained prolific in his play, pacing the losing side with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. Local William Navarro also had 23 markers, 12 boards, and four assists.
In comparison, NorthPort reinforcement Kadeem Jack remained prolific in his play, pacing the losing side with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. Local William Navarro also had 23 markers, 12 boards, and four assists.
The league's fan faves will be eyeing for a 3-0 cushion in the series when they meet again on Sunday, March 2, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The league's fan faves will be eyeing for a 3-0 cushion in the series when they meet again on Sunday, March 2, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 119 ā J.Aguilar 31, Malonzo 17, Thompson 16, Rosario 11, Abarrientos 11, Brownlee 10, Ahanmisi 8, Holt 7, Gray 6, Pinto 2, Pessumal 0, Cu 0, Adamos 0, R.Aguilar 0, Mariano 0
GINEBRA 119 ā J.Aguilar 31, Malonzo 17, Thompson 16, Rosario 11, Abarrientos 11, Brownlee 10, Ahanmisi 8, Holt 7, Gray 6, Pinto 2, Pessumal 0, Cu 0, Adamos 0, R.Aguilar 0, Mariano 0
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NORTHPORT 106 ā Jack 27, Navarro 23, Munzon 14, Tolentino 12, Bulanadi 10, Nelle 6, Yu 5, Miranda 5, Taha 3, Onwubere 1, Flores 0, Cuntapay 0
NORTHPORT 106 ā Jack 27, Navarro 23, Munzon 14, Tolentino 12, Bulanadi 10, Nelle 6, Yu 5, Miranda 5, Taha 3, Onwubere 1, Flores 0, Cuntapay 0
QUARTERS: 35-22, 68-39, 93-67, 119-106
QUARTERS: 35-22, 68-39, 93-67, 119-106
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