WATCH: Interview with Coach Tim Cone [Brgy. Ginebra vs NLEX SF Game 1 | 2021 Govs’ Cup | March 23, 2022]
Brgy. Ginebra went roaring from an NLEX timeout midway in the fourth quarter and drew first blood in their PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-five semifinal faceoff with a stirring 95-86 triumph Wednesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
Curiously from that brief lull in the last 5:48 mark, the Gin Kings sprinted away to 92-78 on a 13-to-nothing salvo with Japeth Aguilar riding the bench, and went on to claim the crucial head start in the race-to-three-games series.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone heaved a sigh that they salvaged the game especially as Aguilar would be doubtful in the next game with his calf injury.
“We’re glad to finish strong and it was a huge win as we’re not sure with Japeth with his calf injury. It’s really delicate,” said Cone of Aguilar’s health woe suffered in their quarters series versus TNT.
The 6-fooot-9 forward got to start in the semis series opener versus the Road Warriors but was limited to 19 minutes of action because of the injury.
“Without Japeth, (the run we made at endgame) was crucial,” said Cone of the decisive attack worked on by Scottie Thompson, Jeff Chan, LA Tenorio and Justin Brownlee.
Brownlee finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, Tenorio wound up with 19 markers, six boards and six assists while Thompson ended up with 15 markers and 11 boards.
