Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

With Tim Cone yearning for support, Raymond Aguilar unexpectedly delivers


Two nights ago, after the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel had absorbed their third straight loss against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, head coach Tim Cone did not hold back and openly admitted that he has yet to see his guys step up, as they are currently depleted.

“We haven’t played well, we haven’t responded well to being undermanned,” the champion coach rued on Friday.

“The rest of the bench, we’re grasping at straws and see who steps up and plays well but we’re not finding any straws.”

Their dilemma has already brought stress for Cone and his deputies. Fortunately for them, as they faced defending three-time champs San Miguel Beermen on Sunday night, it seemed like the Gin Kings have finally responded.

And of all the people, it was seldom-used Raymond Aguilar, who stepped up to the plate strikingly.

The six-foot-five big man, who was fielded as a starter, scored 16 points on a commendable 7-of-14 shooting from the floor with two rebounds, clearly providing the spark for the Gin Kings’ 100-96 come-from-behind win.

And nobody from the Barangay could be prouder than Cone himself.

“Can’t talk enough about Raymond Aguilar, the other Aguilar, for once. He was just phenomenal,” said Cone. “And then he hit big shots, he made big plays on his own. It was amazing, he played out of his mind tonight.

“I can’t thank him enough at this point, because we really needed a big game from somebody.”

But for Aguilar, his outing was all a result of the Gin Kings’ collective effort and, of course, a sprinkle of luck.

#ReadMore  No excuses for Louie Alas as Phoenix's Philippine Cup campaign ends

“Total team effort lang talaga,” said the former NU Bulldog. “[And] natapat lang. I mean, sabi niya kumpiyansa lang.

“Binigyan niya ko ng mga konting plays para sa’kin so suwerte na pumasok naman.”

Aguilar wasn’t aware that he was just a field goal away from another career-high in points. But that doesn’t matter to him anymore, as he is just thankful that Ginebra have finally ended their funk in the 2017-18 Philippine Cup.

“Kailangan talaga namin ‘tong panalo na ‘to para ‘di kami bumaba sa standings. Yun,” shared the 33-year-old veteran cager.

“Buti yung effort namin, yung defense, tsaka pumapasok yung tira namin, so swerte.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

After a thrilling 95-88 overtime victory over host Saudi Arabia secured Gilas Pilipinas a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 quarterfinals, head coach...

Basketball

Once again given significant playing time, Kevin Quiambao proved why he continues to captivate head coach Tim Cone, delivering the spark off the bench...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee once again added to his lore with a breathtaking performance that propelled Gilas Pilipinas into the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup...

Basketball

Time and again, Justin Brownlee delivers heroic performances for the Philippines. Facing a hostile crowd at King Abdullah Sports City, Brownlee showed no fear...

Basketball

Tim Cone is not denying that he’s hearing the growing clamor to give Jamie Malonzo playing time in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025....

Basketball

For the first time in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas finally turned a furious comeback into a victory — and for Tim...

Basketball

Dwight Ramos had been a steady sidekick to Justin Brownlee in Gilas Pilipinas’ first two games of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. But with...

Basketball

JEDDAH – Gilas Pilipinas finally found the footing it’s been looking for, putting together one solid stretch to eventually beat Iraq, 66-57, and stay...

Advertisement