Ginebra hopes to get same production from Japeth Aguilar against powerhouse San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Fresh off an emphatic conference debut, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will gun for a 2-0 start in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup when they collide with the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen on Friday, April 25.
Gametime is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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The Gin Kings looked sharp in their return to action, making a loud statement in a 101-80 beatdown of the Terrafirma Dyip just two nights prior.
In that game, Japeth Aguilar turned back the clock with a vintage performance — 30 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and four blocks — reminding everyone that Ginebra's veteran still has plenty in the tank.
“I just had time to do some reflection after the [Commissioner's Cup] Finals,” said Aguilar, referencing their runner-up finish to TNT. “And coming to this All-Filipino conference, it’s really up to us to grab that opportunity.”
Now, Ginebra braces for a much tougher test in the Beermen, who enter the game at 2-1 and hungry to bounce back from a stunning loss to Magnolia.
With little rest and a perennial contender across the floor, Ginebra knows maintaining perfection this early won’t come easy.
But if Aguilar’s resurgence and the team’s locked-in mindset are any indication, the Gin Kings are more than ready to rise to the challenge — and stake their claim as legitimate Philippine Cup title threats.
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(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]