MANILA — The Barangay Ginebra Kings blew a 20-point lead in the first half but came back strong in the endgame to demolish the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 93-81, in a PBA Governors' Cup game late Friday evening in Dubai. Japeth Aguilar made a triumphant return for the Kings after missing Ginebra's last four games due to a right hamstring injury. The 6'9” power forward made his presence felt by scoring nine unanswered points in the final quarter to give the Kings a 90-73 lead, with 3:13 left. Until Aguilar's scoring rampage, the Kings appeared on their way for another monumental collapse after losing a huge lead as the Painters seized the upper hand, 55-54, late in the third quarter behind the streak shooting of import Wendell McKines. But the Kings regained their bearing, outscoring the Painters 17-10 to regain the lead before the quarter ended. The Kings then opened the final quarter with a 7-2 run led by import Orlando Johnson and LA Tenorio, restoring Ginebra's double-digit lead. The Painters continued trying to claw their way back, but this time the Kings refused to yield ground en route to their second win in five games. Johnson once again led the Kings with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Mark Caguioa added 21 points, 16 of them in the first quarter alone when he outscored the entire Rain or Shine team, enabling the Kings to erect a 28-14 lead. Tenorio posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals while Aguilar finished with a double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds. McKines led all scorers with 35 points and 14 rebounds but terribly failed to get the support of his teammates as the Painters shockingly registered only five assists throughout the game. Paul Lee was the only other Painter in double digits with 10 points. With the loss, Rain or Shine joined idle NLEX and Blackwater at the bottom of the 12-team pack, all with a 1-3 win-loss card. Games Sunday: Barako Bull Energy vs. Meralco Bolts and San Miguel Beermen vs. Purefoods Star Hotshots.
