PBA: Ginebra shows 'NSD' spirit anew, rallies past Magnolia in pivotal 'Clasico'

Japeth Aguilar had another solid "Clasico" performance for Ginebra. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--Ginebra pulled off a huge fourth quarter run to take down Magnolia, 85-81, in the PBA Philippine Cup edition of the "Manila Clasico" on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Down 59-68 after the third quarter, the Gin Kings went on a 26-11 run for most of the fourth to go up, 85-79, with 1:22 to go.

Ian Sangalang kept the Hotshots in the game after connecting on a layup with 1:07 to go.

He later forced a 24-second violation on Ginebra after blocking Troy Rosario's layup attempt with eight seconds remaining.

However, Paul Lee tried to fish a foul while trying a four-point attempt to no avail as his long heave hit nothing, and Stephen Holt grabbed the game-saving recovery.

Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings, who moved up to fourth place at 6-3, with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and one block.

Rosario added 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Sangalang and Zav Lucero each scored 16 points, with Sangalang also grabbing 12 rebounds for the Hotshots, who fell to a tie with the NLEX Road Warriors for first place at 7-2 as the race for the Top 4 seeds just got more intense.

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