Ginebra takes the crown as PBA champs after comeback against Meralco

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back atop the PBA pedestal after clinching the Governor’s Cup championship against nemesis Meralco Bolts, 105-93.

Ginebra’s pouring determination and excellent team basketball were in full display after trailing most of the game.

Down by 12 points entering the fourth, coach Tim Cone drew all his cards to counter the Meralco run who was red hot in the third quarter.

Japeth Aguilar, the Finals MVP, exposed the shorter and smaller Cliff Hodge, bullying his way in the paint for numerous and-one calls.

Feeding off of Aguilar’s mismatch in the post, the Ginebra squad started rolling to score 10 consecutive points that applied pressure on the Bolts side, forcing coach Norman Black to call quick timeouts just to break Ginebra’s momentum.

However, Meralco was unable to contain Aguilar, Justin Brownlee, and Stanley Pringle who combined to carry their team to the crown.