Ginebra storms back from 19 down to clip NLEX

Japeth Aguilar showed his will inside anew. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Ginebra mounted a huge rally late in the third quarter until the end to steal an 83-75 win from NLEX in their PBA Philippine Cup game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Gin Kings returned from a 19-point deficit to stun the Road Warriors, who seemed to be on their way to dealing their opponents their second straight loss.

Behind a solid first half, NLEX opened a 55-36 advantage with 7:11 left in the third period, but Ginebra finished the quarter on a 19-5 run before outscoring its opponent, 25-12, in the final canto to complete the comeback.

Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings, who bounced back from their loss to the Magnolia Hotshots and moved to second place in the team standings at 3-1, just behind the unbeaten San Miguel Beermen, with 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and one steal.

Arvin Tolentino caught fire late and added 17 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Kevin Alas chipped in 16 points, four assists, and one steal, while Calvin Oftana added 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block for the Road Warriors, who dropped to a tie with the NorthPort Batang Pier and Phoenix Fuel Masters in sixth place at 2-2.

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