Towering Kings pounce Texters in impressive win

MANILA, Philippines -- Brgy. Ginebra's twin tower proved too much for a reloaded Talk n Text in the nightcap as the Kings scored an impressive 101-81 opening day victory on Sunday before a mammoth crowd at the cavernous Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

In front of a record crowd of 52, 612, the Kings went to their twin towers Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter, to pounce the Tropang Texters that played minus Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.

Aguilar marked his return from his Gilas stint with a huge double-double of 18 points and 18 rebounds that went with five shot blocks while his frontcourt partner Slaughter came away with 16 and 12 and swatted away two shots.

Brgy. Ginebra ran away with the massive victory with an 18-5 closing run that dampened their former coach Jong Uichico's debut at Talk n Text bench.

Uichico, who gave the Kings their last championship in 2008, piloted the Texters to a hot start, jumping into a 7-2 lead.

But the Kings settled down and pounced the undersized Texters' frontline. Aguilar and Slaughter got ample support with Mac Baracael finishing with 16 while old reliables Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand chipping in 12 and 10, respectively.

Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro led Talk n Text with 20 and 19 points while rookie Kevin Alas poured in all of his 10 points in the fourth quarter but still could not overcome Brgy. Ginebra's fiery windup.