MANILA, Philippines – At 37 years old, Japeth Aguilar has been turning back the hands of time.
Aguilar turned in his highest scoring performance in four years and propelled Barangay Ginebra to a 110-101 win over Phoenix in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, September 6.
The veteran forward netted 31 points — his highest since he dropped 32 points in the Gin Kings’ title-clinching win in the 2020 Philippine Cup — as the crowd darlings won consecutive games for the first time this conference.
“I’ve never seen a 37-year-old player retain their athleticism like Japeth has,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone of Aguilar.
“He is still an incredible athlete. And that makes him almost like a freak of nature to be able to play at that athletic level, still here at 37 years old.”
Aguilar played a key role in the pivotal third quarter as the Gin Kings doused cold water on the Fuel Masters’ fiery comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Phoenix trailed 68-48 before it rode on a blazing 25-6 run powered by 14 points from RR Garcia to inch within 73-74.
But Aguilar scored 5 points, including an emphatic two-handed dunk, in a 9-0 blitz that restored order for Ginebra, which ended the third period with an 87-75 advantage following a late four-pointer from Stephen Holt.
“He is really amazing that he is able to keep his body and do the things that he is still able to do,” Cone said of Aguilar, who is averaging 20.4 points.
Justin Brownlee also shone in the win with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for his 14th PBA career triple-double as the three-time Best Import came alive in the last two frames after being limited to just 5 points in the first half.
Brownlee fired 10 points in the final salvo to guide the Gin Kings to the convincing win, with the Fuel Masters getting no closer than 7 points.
Holt posted 19 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, while RJ Abarrientos put up 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists for Ginebra, which improved to 3-2 in Group B.
The Gin Kings also got solid contributions from former league MVP Scottie Thompson, who tallied 9 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Import Brandone Francis saw his 33-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist outing go down the drain as Phoenix remained winless in five games and extended its all-time worst start in a conference.
Garcia ended up with 17 points.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 110 – Aguilar 31, Brownlee 23, Holt 19, Abarrientos 16, Thompson 9, Ahankisi 7, Tenorio 3, Go 2, Cu 0, Pinto 0, Garcia 0, Adamos 0, Mariano 0.
Phoenix 101 – Francis 33, Garcia 17, Perkins 13, Mocon 8, Tio 7, Rivero 7, Muyang 5, Jazul 3, Ballungay 2, Manganti 2, Verano 2, Daves 2, Alejandro 0, Salado 0, Tuffin 0.
Quarters: 24-25, 57-46, 87-75, 110-101.
– Rappler.com