Ginebra flattens Terrafirma in scorching debut

Barangay Ginebra went off to a blistering start after crushing hapless Terrafirma, 101-80, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Grizzled veteran Japeth Aguilar was unstoppable in the Kings’ rousing debut, scoring 30 points on 12-of-15 field goal shooting while pulling down seven rebounds laced with four blocks, two assists and a steal for an all-around outing.

“In my mind, I’m just taking (advantage) of all the opportunities under coach’s triangle offense,” said Aguilar, who came two points short of tying his career-best.    

Ginebra, raring for another title shot after falling short in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup finals, used a 20-2 run to end the first quarter to turn its 10-15 deficit into a gaping margin.

It was all over but the shouting when the Kings built a 22-point lead early in the payoff period and kept their significant distance throughout.  

Rookie RJ Abarrientos added 14 points while Scottie Thompson had a double-double of 11 markers and 13 rebounds with seven assists, a block and a steal that marked a career milestone of 500th takeaway for Ginebra.

Stephen Holt added 10 markers for the Kings, who had some anxious moments late in the first half when Jeremiah Gray’s left knee buckled while chasing a loose ball.

He never got back into action and called it a night after scoring six. Gray, who came back just last conference after a long layoff due to a knee injury, was able to walk normally but will still undergo tests on Thursday as precaution.

The Dyip, who played sans Terrence Romeo, absorbed a third straight defeat after four starts.

CJ Catapusan led Terrafirma with 14 points while Mark Nonoy had 13 and Louie Sangalang finished with 12.

The scores:

GINEBRA (101) --- J.Aguilar 30, Abarrientos 14, Thompson 11, Holt 10, Ahanmisi 9, Pinto 8, Gray 6, Rosario 5, R. Aguilar 4, Mariano 2, Adamos 2, Cu 0, Pessumal 0

TERRAFIRMA (80) --- Catapusan 14, Nonoy 13, Sangalang 12, Ramos 11, Pringle 9, Ferrer 7, Zaldivar 7, Melecio 4, Paraiso 2, Hernandez 1, Hanapi 0, Olivario 0

QUARTERS: 30-17, 51-35, 75-52, 101-80