Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s never-say-die attitude was in full display once more, turning back the Globalport Batang Pier, 104-97, to collect their second straight victory, Sunday night at a jam-packed SMART Araneta Coliseum.
But despite the come-from-behind win that sent them to a 2-0 win-loss card, coach Tim Cone was clearly not pleased with what he saw from his wards.
“Well that’s what teams coming from championships do. This is the way they do it. They sleepwalk for 3 and a half quarters and try to win a game down the stretch,” said the champion mentor. “That’s what we’re trying to avoid.
“In my experience I’ve seen it. They don’t play until they really have to and I’m very disturbed by that,” added the winningest head coach in league history. “We might be better off losing the basketball game to wake us up, encourage us not to do it again and think we can get away with it.”
Five players finished in double-figure scoring for Ginebra. Japeth Aguilar led the charge with 21 points and nine rebounds. Greg Slaughter scored 18 and also had nine boards, while LA Tenorio made 17 markers and seven assists.
Down by nine heading into the fourth, the Gin Kings roared back and stunned the Batang Pier as they took the lead for the first time in the game, 95-93, after an alley-oop connection from Aljon Mariano and Japeth Aguilar with 3:20 to go.
Stanley Pringle’s pull-up trey helped GlobalPort regain the lead, 96-95, but that proved to be their final hurrah as Ginebra made a 9-1 run. During that spurt, Scottie Thompson and Aljon Mariano making big shot and ended by Slaughter’s flip shot with less than 28 ticks left to seal the deal.
“We kinda stole this one tonight. We can’t expect to steal other wins. We have to get better. I’m not happy about the way we played,” iterated the multi-titled Cone.
Aljon Mariano made his presence felt for the Barangay with 11 points and five caroms, while Jervy Cruz chipped in 10. Scottie Thompson displayed his versatility yet again as he garnered nine markers, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Sean Anthony powered the still Terrence Romeo-less GlobalPort with 29 points and nine rebounds. Pringle backed him up with 23 points on 23 attempts, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, while rookie Julian Sargent and Kelly Nabong each scored 10 with the latter grabbing 11 boards as well.
Both teams will return to action on Friday, January 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena. GlobalPort will open the double-header against Rain or Shine at 4:30, while Ginebra will battle Blackwater at the 7:00 PM main-event.
The Scores:
Ginebra 104 – Aguilar 21, Slaughter 18, Tenorio 17, Mariano 11, Cruz 10, Thompson 9, Ferrer 8, Caguioa 7, Taha 3.
Globalport 97 – Anthony 29, Pringle 23, Nabong 12, Sargent 12, Grey 9, Guinto 7, Arana 5, Taha 0, Elorde 0, Flores 0, Gabayni 0.
Quarterscores: 19-23, 46-48, 68-77, 104-97.
