With Paul Harris forced to leave due to a hand injury late in the third quarter, the Gin Kings’ local core proved up to the challenge as they overcame a Batang Pier side led by import Dominique Sutton.
Sol Mercado and Chris Ellis hit the biggest baskets at crunch time that kept the Batang Pier at bay, while Japeth Aguilar also came through off the bench as the trio scored eight points apiece in the final frame.
Aguilar, coming off a stint with the national team, finished with a team-high 21 points, including a breakaway slam dunk that punctuated the impressive victory.
BRGY. GINEBRA VS GLOBALPORT
EVENTS: Full Game Replay
Where: MALL OF ASIA ARENA
When: SATURDAY JULY 16, 2016
When: SATURDAY JULY 16, 2016
“We won the battle, but I hope we don’t lose the war,” Gin Kings coach Tim Cone said, referring to unfortunate development on Harris, who suffered an open fracture on his right thumb.
The final score result:
GINEBRA 93 – Aguilar 21, Harris 14, Mercado 12, Devance 10, Ellis 10, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Helterbrand 3, Cruz 2, Marcelo 2, Mariano 2, Thompson 1
GLOBALPORT 81 – Pringle 26, Sutton 18, Romeo 15, Yeo 8, Isip 5, Taha 4, Kramer 3, Dehesa 2, Banal 0, Paredes 0, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 25-30, 44-47, 62-61, 93-81