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PBA: Challenged by Tenorio, Aguilar delivers best game yet for Ginebra

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Japeth Aguilar in action for Barangay Ginebra against Magnolia. PBA Images." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/12/21/pba-images9.jpg"/><figcaption>Japeth Aguilar in action for Barangay Ginebra against Magnolia. PBA Images.</figcaption></figure></div> MANILA, Philippines -- Japeth Aguilar produced his best performance of the 2022 PBA Commissioners&#x27; Cup just when Barangay Ginebra needed him most.The Gin Kings lost Christian Standhardinger to an ejection just six minutes into Game 4 of their semis series against the Magnolia Hotshots, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. But even without the Fil-German big man, Ginebra still rolled to a 99-94 win over the Hotshots to book their spot in the finals, and Aguilar was a crucial factor in their triumph. The veteran put up 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 34-minute stint off the bench.It was his best performance of the conference, and the first time he hit double-digits in scoring in the playoffs. &quot;The person I talked to first was really Japeth. I really wanted Japeth to excel in this game, kasi this is his opportunity,&quot; said point guard LA Tenorio of Ginebra&#x27;s response to Standhardinger&#x27;s ejection. &quot;I kept on reminding him that this is his opportunity and I told him, show them what you got,&quot; he added.The veteran floor general was proud of how Aguilar responded to his challenge. Aguilar made eight of his 12 field goals, including a a jumper with five minutes to play that pushed Ginebra&#x27;s lead to 15, 91-76, and stalled Magnolia&#x27;s momentum when it seemed that they would make a comeback. He later added two free throws for a 98-78 lead with two minutes left that sealed the Hotshots&#x27; fate.&quot;I have to give credit to Japeth also, for playing, really, not only offensively. He scored, I think, double digits also. But I think, I want to commend his defense also. Ang laking bagay sa amin si Japeth talaga. We need him, so I think I have to give credit to Japeth,&quot; Tenorio said.Aguilar entered the game averaging just 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in the Commissioner&#x27;s Cup. He last reached double-digits in their elimination round game against Converge on November 30, when he put up 16 points.For Ginebra coach Tim Cone, it meant a lot that Aguilar was able to play over 34 minutes in the game as they missed Standhardinger&#x27;s presence. The coach had split their big men&#x27;s minutes, but with Standhardinger watching from the dugout, he had no choice but to keep Aguilar on the floor. &quot;We really need him, obviously in this game, here,&quot; said Cone. &quot;I wanted to play him the whole time, the whole game. I was really struggling to try to find the time to get him on the bench and rest him.&quot;&quot;Christian and Japeth have been splitting a lot of time, so neither of them are used to playing like 40 minutes right now. They&#x27;re used to playing 25, 26. So he had to extend his minutes and he powered through that. So I&#x27;m so proud of him,&quot; he added.Aguilar and the Gin Kings will be back in action on December 25 in Game 1 of the best-of-7 finals, where they will be against either San Miguel Beer or the Bay Area Dragons. Related video:<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iSXVWNShMwU?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Japeth Aguilar produced his best performance of the 2022 PBA Commissioners' Cup just when Barangay Ginebra needed him most.

PBA: Challenged by Tenorio, Aguilar delivers best game yet for Ginebra

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PBA: Challenged by Tenorio, Aguilar delivers best game yet for Ginebra

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 21, 2022 07:45 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

PBA

PBA Commissioner's Cup

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings

Magnolia Hotshots

Japeth Aguilar

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