PBA: Japeth Aguilar flashes vintage form in Ginebra's 30-point blowout vs. NLEX

Japeth Aguilar turned back the clock as he led Barangay Ginebra to a 104-74 rout of NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The seasoned big man erupted for 21 points in Ginebra’s second-half surge, finishing with a team-high 25 markers on top of five rebounds, one assist, and one block to help the Gin Kings snap a two-game skid and improve to 2-3.

The Road Warriors, meanwhile, failed to extend their winning streak to four, slipping to 4-2.

Ginebra set the tone early with an 11-0 run to start the game, but the red-hot Road Warriors, who entered the matchup riding wins over Terrafirma, Meralco, and Blackwater, clawed their way back to cut the deficit to seven at halftime, 40-33.

Aguilar then took over in the second half, igniting the Gin Kings’ decisive pullaway.

The Gilas Pilipinas veteran poured in 13 of his total points in the third period, including back-to-back baskets that gave Ginebra a 58-49 cushion. Scottie Thompson and Troy Rosario each drilled a triple as the Gin Kings ended the quarter with a 68-51 lead.

Aguilar opened the fourth with a three-point play off a foul by JB Bahio, then followed it up with two straight layups to push Ginebra’s advantage to 84-64.

Ralph Cu and Stephen Holt later buried a three-pointer each to seal the lopsided victory as Ginebra snapped its two-game slump after back-to-back losses to Meralco and San Miguel.

Holt provided the spark with 20 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while Thompson tallied a double-double of 12 points and 11 assists along with six rebounds.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 104 – J. Aguilar 25, Holt 20, Thompson 12, Gray 9, Rosario 9, Cu 7, Abarrientos 4, Estil 4, Torres 4, Pinto 4, R.Aguilar 4, David 2.

NLEX 74 – Torres 17, Policarpio 13, Fajardo 10, Capulong 9, Bahio 8, Alas 7, Mocon 4, Bolick 4, Ramirez 2, Valdez 0, Amer 0, Rodger 0, Nieto 0, Herndon 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarters: 26-11, 40-33, 72-59, 104-74.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News