Cone picks up first Ginebra win in Dubai

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Tim Cone and Barangay Ginebra averted another major meltdown and turned back the weary Alaska Aces, 93-92, in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday morning, November 8 (Saturday night, November 7 in Dubai) at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai.

Cone, the PBA’s winningest coach, finally picked up his first win with his new ballclub as the Gin Kings improved to a 1-2 record.

Seven-footer Greg Slaughter continues his dominance so far this conference with a game-high 27 points to go with 19 rebounds and 4 assists in over 39 minutes of play.

The 2013 first overall pick was consistent from the stripe all game long and came through with a pair of composed, go-ahead free throws to notch the final tally with 4.1 ticks left. He finished 15-for-17 from the foul line and went 6-of-9 from the field.

Japeth Aguilar shot 9-for-20 field goals to finish with 23 markers and 12 boards while LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa added 14 and 11 points, respectively. Tenorio converted 3 triples and dished out 7 assists.

Ginebra very nearly went 0-3 after it squandered a 19-point first half edge and Alaska rode on the boundless energy of Calvin Abueva to come to within 89-88 with over 3 minutes left to play.

Slaughter shot two free throws for some cushion, 91-88, with 1:16 remaining but back-to-back aggressive baskets from Vic Manuel shoved the Aces ahead, 92-91, with 14.9 ticks on the clock.

Ginebra burned its final timeout and Alaska registered its 30th and final foul of the game on Slaughter who sank the game-winning charities.

Abueva tallied a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks off the bench. Dondon Hontiveros caught fire late and shot 5-of-10 from downtown for 15 points while Manuel chipped in 14 markers, 7 boards, and two steals. 

The Aces, which came off a gruelling contest against Mahindra 24 hours earlier, were visibly exhausted early on and ultimately surrendered their unbeaten slate as they slid to 3-1. – Rappler.com