PBA: Japeth Aguilar hits game-winner as Ginebra escapes Blackwater
Japeth Aguilar scores on a slam during Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ win over Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES
Japeth Aguilar scored a baseline jumper with one second left to give Barangay Ginebra a dramatic 101-99 victory over upset-minded Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Aguilar received a pass from Scottie Thompson to knock down the winning shot that enabled the Gin Kings to survive a Bossing squad that came into the contest sitting near the tail end of the standings.
Ginebra prevailed for the third straight time to go 5-2 for a share of third place with idle San Miguel Beer, with Aguilar finishing with 22 points and six rebounds.
Jubilation among the Barangay Ginebra faithful after Japeth Aguilar’s jumper to beat Blackwater, 101-99, for a 5-2 record in the PBA Philippine Cup | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/UgQAAK03Lv
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 23, 2025
Thompson had 18 points, four rebounds and 10 assists before immediately leaving the venue with his wife due to give birth to their third child.
Ginebra survived a scary affair that served as a warmup to a heavy schedule to finish off the eliminations.
The Gin Kings’ next game is on May 30 against the defending champion Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blackwater dropped to 1-6 with a fourth straight defeat, but not before giving itself a chance to sneak one over Ginebra.
Sedrick Barefield scored 32 points on top of six rebounds and six assists while RK Ilagan kept things close on his way to 24 points.
Troy Mallillin’s three with 19 seconds left tied things up at 99-all before Ginebra executed a broken play that led to Aguilar’s shot.
The Bossing return to action on Sunday against the Beermen at the same venue.
