Ginebra rips Grand Slam-seeking TNT in payback win, but Cone not making ‘too big of a deal’

RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar form a potent one-two punch as Barangay Ginebra gains some semblance of revenge after losing to TNT in the finals of the first two conferences this season

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra has mostly dealt with heartbreak against TNT this season, but on this night, the Gin Kings were the ones dishing out the pain.

Ginebra snapped the Tropang Giga’s six-game winning streak and closed in on a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup after a 97-78 blowout at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, June 8.

RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar formed a potent one-two punch as the Gin Kings gained some semblance of revenge after losing to TNT in the finals of the first two conferences this season and raised its record to 7-3.

Abarrientos fired 23 points on a 5-of-8 clip from three-point range to go with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while Aguilar put up 20 points and 14 rebounds in the win that saw Ginebra pull away for good as early as the first quarter.

The Gin Kings rode a sizzling 13-0 start then ended the period sitting on a comfortable 30-11 cushion — their lead never going below 19 points the rest of the way.

While pleased of his wards’ performance, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said the Gin Kings caught the Tropang Giga on an off night.

“I don’t want to make too big of a deal because of the mitigating circumstances of them playing just two days ago and coming off a six-game winning streak, that can kind of set you up for a night like this,” Cone said.

“They’re just going to wipe this one away and move right on forward. It’s one of those nights. And we were able to be on the good side of it this time. We’ve had our share of the other side, so we’re glad that we’re on this side.”

Stephen Holt also shone for Ginebra with 12 points and 8 rebounds — his three-pointer to beat the first-half buzzer giving the Gin Kings a commanding 54-27 advantage.

That lead grew to as big as 32 points off an Aguilar jump shot, 61-29.

Jamie Malonzo had 12 points and 4 rebounds for Ginebra to compensate for his 9 turnovers, Troy Rosario added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Scottie Thompson posted 5 points, 10 assists, 5 steals, and 3 rebounds.

That loss spoiled the TNT debut of Jordan Heading, who was traded by Converge to the Tropang Giga in exchange for Mikey Williams.

Heading, playing for the first time this conference after nagging back issues, tallied 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists against 3 turnovers in nearly 20 minutes of play.

Calvin Oftana put up 18 points, 4 steals, and 2 blocks to pace the Grand Slam-seeking Tropang Giga, who fell to 6-4 for a triple tie with Converge and Rain or Shine for the No. 5 spot.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 97 – Abbarientos 23, J. Aguilar 20, Holt 12, Malonzo 12, Rosario 11, Pinto 6, Thompson 5, R. Aguilar 4, David 2, Gray 2, Adamos 0, Ahanmisi 0, Cu 0.

TNT 78 – Oftana 18, Heading 10, Aurin 9, Pogoy 8, Williams 8, Khobuntin 7, Enciso 5, Nieto 4, Vosotros 3, Erram 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varilla 2, Heruala 0.

Quarters: 30-11, 54-27, 74-50, 97-78.

– Rappler.com