Kim Aurin may have just written his own version of the ‘Flu Game’, braving through the illness to provide the unlikely spark in TNT’s thrilling overtime victory versus long-time corporate rivals San Miguel Beer on Saturday night.
The 29-year-old finished with a team-best 22 points, none bigger than the three-pointer from the corner he sank off a George King foul with 25.9 seconds left. The shot gave them the 89-87 lead — and put the Tropang 5G ahead for good.
He scored nine of his points in extra time, all of which he earned from beyond the first arc. That reset his PBA career-high and, in the process, led his side to their second win in a row in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The former Perpetual guard shot 6-of-10 from three and also collected eight rebounds and a steal in the 47 minutes he played, doing all of that despite the fever that he’s actually been feeling since the night before the match.
“Actually, kahapon pa talaga masama ang pakiramdam ko. And then paggising ko kanina, parang tatrangkasuhin na talaga ako,” he bared after their 93-89 win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay that hiked their card to above .500 (3-2).
(C) PBA Images
Aurin said that he was having second thoughts on playing against the Beermen given his condition, but changed his mind after calling Roger Pogoy.
The star guard has been their team captain but was out as well for the match — and for at least a week — due to an MCL sprain, joining the Tropa’s growing injury/reserve list that already has guys like Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro.
“Masama ‘yung pakiramdam niya. Tumawag sa akin. Sabi ko, ‘Tanungin mo ‘yung doktor, tapos kulang-kulang pa tayo.’ Sabi ko, ‘Magdasal ka lang, kaya mo ‘yan’,” said the Cebuano star when asked about Aurin reaching out to him.
So, Pogoy’s advice, along with some guidance from above, proved enough to convince him to fight through and compete with his brothers.
“Tinawagan ko pa si Roger kanina kasi masama talaga ang pakiramdam ko,” he said.
“May nakita akong Bible verse, nakalagay sa Isaiah 40:31, ‘Those who hope in the Lord, they will renew their strength.’ Pinanghawakan ko lang ‘yun.”
Indeed, the former PBA 3×3 standout with Ginebra saw his prayers answered — and then some. Aside from a career-high outing, he and TNT have now won back-to-back games for the first time in the season-ending tournament.
“Kami-kami na lang din kasi. Matira matibay na lang din,” he said. “Buti na lang, dininig ni Lord ‘yung dasal ko. Buti nagawa namin ang trabaho namin ngayong gabi.”
Pogoy himself couldn’t feel any prouder to see Aurin deliver — even with the flu.
“Thank God, ang ganda ng nilaro ni Kim,” he said, smiling.
“Sobrang happy ako. Si Kim kasi, kasama ko palagi ‘yan sa CCF. Kami-kami nagpe-pray. Sobrang happy ako na nagbunga ‘yung hirap niya.”
