PBA: Ginebra wallops TNT in 'Game of the Season' rematch

Japeth Aguilar helped Ginebra whip TNT from start to finish. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Two nights ago, the hotly contested Game 7 of last season's PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between Ginebra and TNT, which went to overtime before the Tropang 5G won to go two-thirds in their grand slam bid, was named the Game of the Season by the PBA Press Corps.

When they met again, though, the Gin Kings settled the outcome as early as the first quarter.

Banking on a hot start, Ginebra ripped TNT apart with a 92-77 win in their Season 50 Philippine Cup elimination round battle on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Gin Kings quickly pulled away by erupting for 33 first-quarter points before opening a 24-point lead before halftime.

Although the Tropang 5G were able to slow the offense down, they could not find their own shooting groove until the fourth quarter, where the outcome became evident.

Japeth Aguilar led Ginebra, which joined TNT in what is now a seven-way tie at 1-1, with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one block.

RJ Abarrientos added 14 points, one rebound, and three assists, while Troy Rosario chipped in 13 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, and Norbert Torres each added 10 markers, with the latter going 4-for-4 from the field.

Simon Enciso put up 17 points too, along with one rebound and two assists for the Tropang 5G.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 92 – J. Aguilar 17, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 13, Thompson 10, Holt 10, Torres 10, Gray 8, Estil 5, David 3, Pinto 0, Cu 0

TNT 77 – Enciso 17, Ferrer 11, Pogoy 9, Williams 8, Galinato 8, Khobuntin 7, Oftana 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Nambatac 3, Hill 2, Heading 1, Jalalon 0, Aurin 0

QUARTERS: 33-16, 45-30, 68-48, 92-77