Japeth endgame heroics lift Kings

MANILA, Philippines - Japeth Aguilar knocked in a three-pointer then swatted away a shot by Ranidel de Ocampo in the closing seconds as Barangay Ginebra beat out Talk n Text, 97-95, in a gripping battle to gain second place in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Mac Baracael and Emman Monfort also provided big boost coming off the bench in the payoff quarter as the Gin Kings charged back from 14-point deficits and seized second spot with a 4-1 win-loss record.

The game was on the line when Aguilar took charge at the finish, personally handing the Tropang Texters their second loss against three wins.

“It was a pick-and-roll play involving Japeth. We wanted him to go hard to basket since Talk n Text was in penalty situation. He took an outside shot instead and we’re lucky he made it,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin of Aguilar’s go-ahead basket.

“Early on, we took a look at Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio who were both coming off mild sickness. Maganda yung bunot namin kay Mac Baracael and Monfort in the fourth quarter. They helped us get the breaks,” Agustin also said.

Earlier, Jay Washington, Sol Mercado and RR Garcia again delivered the goods as Globalport came through with its first ever back-to-back victories, edging Rain or Shine Elasto, 90-88.

The Batang Pier fought back from early nine-point deficit and repelled the Elasto Painters’ own fightback at endgame to fashion out the big follow-up to their 93-88 win over the Meralco Bolts last Friday before a mammoth cheering crowd at the Big Dome.

Globalport hit the .500 mark at 3-3 with the first back-to-back wins in the young history of the Mikee Romero-owned franchise.

“The young guys are learning to play in the PBA while the veterans are stepping up and being leaders. The process of jelling, being as one, is coming into play already,” said Globalport coach Ritchie Ticzon.

“I didn’t expect it to be this early. A win makes it easier to jell together,” added Ticzon, a former Ateneo hotshot who had a seven-year stint in the pro league with Purefoods, Shell and Alaska.

“It feels good, this team is coming together,” said Washington who led the team with 20 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and one steal.