The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup went out of town on Saturday as it took the action to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga. Fittingly, the league brought the big guns—Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Converge FiberXers—to one of the country’s basketball hotbeds.
In the end, it was Ginebra that chalked up the win as Japeth Aguilar more than held his own against the FiberXers’ highly touted twin towers of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana. Aguilar, a Pampanga native, fired 23 points, hauled down 10 boards, and blocked 3 shots in his homecoming.
Scottie Thompson added 15 markers on 6-for-7 shooting overall, while RJ Abarrientos chipped in 14 off the bench. Jamie Malonzo also contributed heavily to Ginebra’s winning cause, delivering 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
Ginebra Takes Control Early
Ginebra took control of the game right at the very first quarter, winning the opening 12 minutes, 23-13, before a packed crowd. The crowd darlings extended the lead to 50-34 going into intermission and never let go of it thereafter. Aguilar and company were so in control of this game that Converge could pull no closer than 10 in the second half.
Baltazar, himself a Pampanga native like Aguilar, led Converge with 13 points and 10 boards. His fellow twin tower, Arana, had 9 points and 11 caroms but was just 2-for-11 from the field and 5-for-11 from the stripe. Another hometown boy, MJ Garcia, showed up with 12 markers.
With the win, Ginebra bounced back from their sorry loss to the NLEX Road Warriors and climbed to 3-2. The loss snapped the FiberXers’ three-game winning run and dropped them to 4-3.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra (85) – J. Aguilar 23, Thompson 15, Abarrientos 14, Holt 12, Malonzo 9, Rosario 7, David 3, Adamos 2, Pinto 0, Mariano 0, R. Aguilar 0, Cu 0
Converge (66) – Baltazar 13, Garcia 12, Arana 9, Stockton 8, Ambohot 7, Winston 4, Delos Santos 4, Suerte 3, Racal 3, Nermal 2, Corpuz 1, Caralipio 0, B. Santos 0, R. Santos 0
Up Next:
Ginebra vs. Blackwater Bossing on May 14 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Converge vs. NorthPort Batang Pier on May 21 (Ynares Center – Montalbal)
2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup Continues at Ninoy Aquino Stadium
The 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup continues on later today with a double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The first game will see the San Miguel Beermen tangle with the Phoenix Fuel Masters, while the second game will pit the NLEX Road Warriors against the Magnolia Hotshots.
