MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra rediscovered its winning form following a 104-74 romp of NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal, on Sunday, November 2.

Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt showed the way as the Gin Kings got back on track after dropping three of their first four games of the conference — a tough stretch that included losses to Magnolia, Meralco, and San Miguel.

And the victory came at the expense of a red-hot Red Warriors side that got its three-game winning streak halted.

“All the teams, anybody can beat anybody on any given night. It is just a matter of preparedness and readiness,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

“That is going to be key for us as we go forward. Can we be ready? Can we be ready for any team? Because anybody can get you on any given night right now.”

Aguilar finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds, while Holt delivered 20 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 rebounds — the two taking turns as the Gin Kings led from start to finish.

Holt scored 10 points in the opening period to help Ginebra mount a 26-11 lead before Aguilar poured 21 points in the second half of the wire-to-wire victory that saw the Gin Kings’ advantage peak at 30 points.

Scottie Thompson supplied all-around numbers of 12 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Troy Rosario and Jeremiah Gray chimed in 9 points each and combined for 18 rebounds and 7 assists.

Ginebra put the clamps on NLEX star Robert Bolick, who scored just 4 on 1-of-7 shooting and committed 4 turnovers, although he finished with 11 assists.

Xyrus Torres tallied 17 points for the Road Warriors, who slipped to 4-2 after consecutive victories over Phoenix, Meralco, and Blackwater.

Earlier, San Miguel claimed its third straight win after a 0-2 start after fending off Converge in a 96-90 triumph.

June Mar Fajardo dominated for the Beermen with 24 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, while Juami Tiongson sank timely buckets, with all of his 14 points off the bench coming in the final frame.

Justine Baltazar registered 14 points, 19 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists in the loss that dropped the FiberXers to 3-2.

The Scores

First game

San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 24, Tiongson 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 9, Teng 7, Rosales 7, Cruz 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 6, Calma 5, Lassiter 4, Miller 2, Ross 0.

Converge 90 – Winston 20, Arana 19, Baltazar 14, Concepcion 9, Gomez de Liano 8, Muyang 6, Stockton 6, Muyang 6, Garcia 4, Javillonar 4, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Clemente 0, Eguilos 0, Racal 0.

Quarters: 20-28, 47-49, 69-66, 96-90.

Second game

Barangay Ginebra 104 – J. Aguilar 25, Holt 20, Thompson 12, Gray 9, Rosario 9, Cu 7, Abarrientos 4, Estil 4, Torres 4, Pinto 4, R. Aguilar 4, David 2.

NLEX 74 – Torres 17, Policarpio 13, Fajardo 10, Capulong 9, Bahio 8, Alas 7, Mocon 4, Bolick 4, Ramirez 2, Valdez 0, Amer 0, Rodger 0, Nieto 0, Herndon 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarters: 26-11, 40-33, 72-59, 104-74.

– Rappler.com