Aguilar sinks game-winning trey for Ginebra

SIX-FOOT-NINE beanpole Japeth Aguilar hit a go-ahead triple with 1.1 seconds left then sealed his heroics with a game-sealing block as the Barangay Ginebra Kings rallied past the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 97-95, last night in the 39th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aguilar, who finished with a team-high 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots, completed the Kings’ comeback from double-digit deficits with the two crucial plays in both ends of the floor.

Talk ‘N Text was ahead, 95-94, with 22.9 seconds left and had the chance to erect a three-point lead but Noy Baclao muffed two free throws.

In a crucial move, the Kings melted the clock despite staring at a one-point deficit but Aguilar saved the day for the Kings with the booming triple. Aguilar capped off his sterling performance by blocking Ranidel de Ocampo as time ran out.

The Kings, thus, bounced back from an 87-100 loss to the Meralco Bolts, moving up to solo second place in the standings with a 4-1 (win-loss) card.

Jayson Castro had a game-high 27 markers for the Texters, who absorbed their second loss in five games.

In the other game, the GlobalPort Batang Pier marked a day of firsts when they subdued the favored Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 90-88.

The Batang Pier recorded their first winning streak in franchise history and also secured their first-ever win against the Painters.

Jay Washington and Sol Mercado came up big again for the Batang Pier, scoring 20 points each in the team’s third win against the same number of defeats./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA