Raymond Aguilar steps up as Gin Kings storm back to edge Beermen, end slump

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra dug themselves out of a 16-point rut and mounted a fiery stand in the second half to pull the rug on San Miguel Beer and deal the defending Philippine Cup champions their first loss of the season, 100-96.

Behind the Gin Kings’ one-two punch in Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio the crowd darlings mounted a gutsy 22-2 run in the third frame to take over the driver seat.

But perhaps the other surprise was how the Raymond Aguilar stepped up against the behemoth in reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.

The Beermen managed to pull closer late in the game and even threatened to pull the rug on the slumping Gin Kings but the latter squad managed to hang tough.

“It was tough. Who would've thought that we can come out and win that game after the way we've played the last three games?” Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone said. "We had guys step up today."

"Can't talk enough about Raymond, the other Aguilar for once. He was just phenomenal. He guarded June Mar all game long,” he added. "He hit big shots, he made big plays on his own, it was just amazing. I can’t thank him enough at this point."

"We move on. We’re three and three. Hopefully, we start gaining momentum after this game,” Cone closed.

The win snapped Ginebra’s three-game skid and improves their record to 3-3. 

San Miguel, on the other hand, dropped to 5-1, sharing an identical card with the Magnolia Hotshots.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 100 — Tenorio 23, J. Aguilar 23, Cruz 17, R. Aguilar 16, Ferrer 11, Thompson 6, Caguioa 2, Mercado 2, Wilson 0.

SAN MIGUEL 96 — Fajardo 33, Ross 16, Lassiter 16, Santos 12, Lanete 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Pessumal 4, Heruela 2, De Ocampo 0, Mamaril 0. Quarters: 19-33, 44-52, 75-66, 100-96.