BARANGAY Ginebra turned it up a notch when it mattered most as it frustrated Blackwater, 98-81, to sustain its momentum in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Gin Kings saw the Elite threaten to pull off an upset before breaking loose from a tight game halfway through the payoff period on the way to seventh straight win after starting their title defense with a loss.
Greg Slaughter led the balanced attack with 22 points and eight boards off the bench for the Gin Kings, while Japeth Aguilar blocked a Bill Walker layup attempt with a little less than seven minutes left in the game that Cone felt spelled the biggest difference.
GINEBRA vs BLACKWATER
EVENTS: 2017 PBA GOVERNORS CUP
Where: Smart Araneta Coliseum
When: FRIDAY 08 SEPT. 2017
Devance chipped in 15 points and missed a double-double by just two rebounds, completing an all-around play with four assists in 36 minutes, while Aguilar finished with 10 points, six boards, two assists, and two blocks.
Walker paced the Elite with 26 points, highlighted by six three-pointers, on top of 17 boards, four assists, three steals, and one block that went for naught as the prolific import failed to get ample support outside Mike DiGregorio and Roi Sumang.
