Aurin brushes off flu, saves depleted TNT
Kim Aurin goes the extra mile by scoring a career-high 22 points despite being sick as TNT rolls past San Miguel, 93-89, in their PBA Governors’ Cup game on Saturday.
Photograph courtesy of PBA
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Kim Aurin goes the extra mile by scoring a career-high 22 points despite being sick as TNT rolls past San Miguel, 93-89, in their PBA Governors’ Cup game on Saturday.
Photograph courtesy of PBA
Kim Aurin was already feeling under the weather on the eve of defending champion TNT’s game against San Miguel Beer.
Knowing too well that the severely decimated Tropang 5G needed all available players who could still stand and compete, Aurin suited up despite his bout with the flu and delivered a performance to remember.
The young guard nailed back-to-back three-pointers inside the last 26 seconds of the extension as TNT escaped with a thrilling 93-89 overtime victory over the Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Aurin recorded a career-best 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including a 6-of-10 clip from the three-point area, and grabbed eight rebounds to power the Tropang 5G to a 3-2 win-loss record.
“Actually, I’m not feeling well since yesterday. When I woke up, I was already having flu-like symptoms,” Aurin said.
“I even called (team captain) Roger (Pogoy) and told him I’m feeling under the weather.”
But TNT’s roster was already depleted with Pogoy and Jordan Heading adding to the injury list. The Tropang 5G have also been playing without Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, JP Erram and Kelly Williams.
Aurin soldiered on and refused to let head coach Chot Reyes down on the TNT mentor’s 62nd birthday, clinging to a Bible verse as inspiration.
“I saw a bible verse (Isaiah 14:31) that said, ‘Those who hope in the Lord, they will renew their strength.’ I held on to that, and thankfully the Lord listened,” he said.
After squandering a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter that allowed the Beermen to force overtime, the Tropang 5G found themselves trailing, 83-85, with 1:02 left.
Aurin drained a trey to put TNT on top before San Miguel import George King answered with a layup to regain the advantage.
Aurin, with ice in his veins, connected a triple while drawing a foul on King. Although he missed his bonus free throw, Aurin grabbed the offensive rebound that led to a Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson basket for a 91-87 TNT lead with 10 seconds left.
Rey Nambatac put on the finishing touches from the foul line as TNT handed the Beermen their fourth loss in six outings.
“Good thing we’re able to accomplish our task today,” Aurin said.
Reyes said Aurin is among the quiet players in his team but gets the job done.
“He lets his game do the talking,” Reyes said.
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