BARANGAY Ginebra was still far from full lethal form, but still proved more than enough to beat NLEX 102-92 Sunday at the start of their PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Angeles University Foundation gym in Angeles City.
Aljon Mariano equaled his career-high with 20 points, leading a slew of Gin Kings who stepped up the most while the likes of LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar are still trying to regain full strength.
Tenorio did see action for 12 minutes, scoring just a point in close to 12 minutes of play while still extending his streak of straight games played to a league-best 642.
Aguilar saw more extensive action at almost 22 minutes, scoring seven points.
With the likes of Stanley Pringle, Jared Dillinger, Prince Caperal, Joe Devance and Jeff Chan ably chipping in, Ginebra had little trouble homing in on an auspicious start to the tourney while joining opening day victor San Miguel Beer and TNT on the winners' column.
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"We played a lot better than I thought we would, but I still hope we could play a lot better than what we did tonight," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
"But it's nice to get that first one against NLEX. I hope this gets off on the right foot, hopefully move us forward and get us to our next game with a little more confidence," added Cone.
Hurting NLEX's bid most was JR Quinahan getting thrown out late in the third quarter and Kiefer Ravena not having the kind of game expected of him.
Quinahan scattered a game-best 26 points but was ejected due to a technical foul, with still 1:37 left in the penultimate canto. He was slapped with an F1 in the first quarter.
Ravena, meanwhile, scored only six points but only on a 2-for-8 field shooting.
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Kevin Alas led those Road Warriors who tried to pick up the slack and wound up with 16 points. Jericho Cruz, celebrating his 30th birthday, was the only other NLEX player in double figures with 11. (NC)
