The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel compounded the Alaska Aces’ miseries after cruising to a 94-80 victory in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The result kept the Aces (0-6) winless in the tournament after six games. It also extended their franchise-worst skid to 14 games dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup.
Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings with 22 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks while Joe Devance finished with 19 points on perfect 8-for-8 shooting for Ginebra (4-1) which notched its fourth win in five games to move up in the team standings.
Ginebra got off to a fiery start, scoring the game’s first eight points. The Gin Kings’ lead just kept on swelling and by halftime, it was already enjoying a 46-31 cushion.
Alaska, which trailed by as many as 22 points, tried so many times to come back in the game but couldn’t muster a rally that would seriously threaten Ginebra.
The Aces trimmed their deficit to nine points with two minutes left, but they didn’t have enough firepower to complete the turnaround.
Japeth Aguilar added 15 points and 11 rebounds in his comeback from Gilas Pilipinas duty. His frontline partner Greg Slaughter also posted a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Scottie Thompson flirted with a triple-double after collecting eight points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Calvin Abueva, who like Aguilar was coming off a stint with the national team, made 22 points and 13 boards to pace Alaska. But the Aces didn’t get much from import LaDontae Henton who only had 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
Cebu native Dondon Hontiveros had three points in what might be his final PBA game in his hometown. During the halftime break, the Aces honored him with an emotional tribute. While he hasn’t announced retirement yet, the 17-year PBA veteran has hinted about hanging up his sneakers after this season.
The scores:
Ginebra 94 – Brownlee 22, Devance 19, Aguilar 15, Tenorio 12, Slaughter 12, Thompson 8, Mercado 3, Caguioa 2, Cruz 1, Ellis 0.
Alaska 80 – Abueva 22, Thoss 11, Henton 10, Banchero 8, Casio 7, Galliguez 6, Baclao 4, Pascual 4, Hontiveros 3, Manuel 2, Dela Cruz 2, Mendoza 1, Magat 0.
Quarters: 24-14, 46-31, 68-51, 94-80.
