Ginebra pummels Meralco in Govs' Cup Finals rematch

Japeth Aguilar is slowly getting back to his groove. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Although there will be no PBA Governors' Cup this year, Ginebra still showed Meralco who the better team is.

The Barangay clobbered the Bolts in the rematch of the previous championship series, 105-91, in their all-Filipino Season 45 clash at the Angeles University Sports and Cultural Center on Sunday night.

Ginebra broke out in the second quarter, outscoring Meralco, 31-19, to turn a 20-all first quarter deadlock to a 51-39 halftime lead and never looked back from there.

Japeth Aguilar led the Barangay, who are now at 3-0, with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, four rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.

They are now tied with the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters and the TNT Tropang Giga on top of the team standings, although the latter can reclaim solo first place with a win on Monday night against fellow unbeaten squad Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Stanley Pringle added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Allein Maliksi put up 18 markers, four boards, two dimes, and one swipe for the Bolts, who slipped to 1-2.

Box Scores:

Ginebra 105-J. Aguilar 20, Pringle 16, Chan 12, Tolentino 11, Caperal 9, Mariano 8, Thompson 7, Tenorio 6, Devance 6, Dillinger 5, Balanza 3, Caguioa 2, Salado 0, R. Aguilar 0

Meralco 91-Maliksi 18, Hugnatan 16, Newsome 10, Amer 10, Almazan 6, Jackson 6, Hodge 5, Black 5, Quinto 4, Jamito 4, Jose 3, Pinto 2, Caram 2, Salva 0

Quarterscores: 20-20, 51-39, 74-60, 105-91

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