BARANGAY Ginebra made a roaring debut in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 101-80 rout of Terrafirma at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Japeth Aguilar exploded for 30 points while Scottie Thompson logged in solid all-around numbers with 11 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, leading the Gin Kings to the big win ahead of a tough assignment in their next outing against the San Miguel Beermen on Friday.
RJ Abarrientos fired three triples and a total of 14 points off the bench while Stephen Holt was another player finishing in double figures with 10 for the Ginebra team out for redemption after foiled cracks at glory in the Governors' and Commissioner's Cups.
Even with short preparation for the season-ending Philippine Cup, the Kings hardly encountered trouble versus the Terrafirma side that reeled to a third straight loss after a triumphant conference debut versus Phoenix.
The returning Jonathan Gray and Troy Rosario formed the Ginebra starting unit with Aguilar, Thompson and Holt. Gray, however, was limited to 16 minutes and 52 minutes after hurting his knee towards the end of the first half. The Fil-Am forward contributed six points, five rebounds and two assists.
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Meanwhile, Abarrientos bannered the reserve cast that had their moments, including Maverick Ahanmisi with nine points and Nards Pinto with eight.
But Aguilar easily stood out with his 30-point juggernaut marked by 12 points that helped fuel Ginebra's 30-17 opening tear.
Then Aguilar, Abarrientos, Thompson and Holt took turns in leading their searing charge all the way to the finish - a bounceback effort after bowing to the TNT Tropang Giga in the second conference finals last month.
Up next for coach Tim Cone's crew is the San Miguel side aching for a turnaround after a 95-98 upset by Magnolia last Holy Wednesday.
Terrafirma was led by rookie CJ Catapusan and Mark Nonoy with 14 and 13 points, respectively, in a losing cause. (SB)
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The scores:
Ginebra 101 - J. Aguilar 30, Abarrientos 14, Thompson 11, Holt 10, Ahanmisi 9, Pinto 8, Gray 6, Rosario 5, Mariano 4, Adamos 2, R. Aguilar 2, Cu 0, Pessumal 0.
Terrafirma 80 - Catapusan 14, Nonoy 13, Sangalang 12, Ramos 11, Pringle 9, Zaldivar 7, Ferrer 7, Melecio 4, Paraiso 2, Hernandez 1, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 30-17, 51-35, 75-59, 101-80
