Aguilar is Ginebra's Christmas star as Gin Kings rule over Hotshots

MANILA, Philippines — The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings kept their mastery of the Star Hotshots in PBA’s Christmas Day ‘Manila Clasico,’ 86-79, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue Bulacan.

Japeth Aguilar starred against sister team Hotshots, registering 32 points, and 12 rebounds. He joined an elite cast of cager who have tallied more than 30 markers in a Christmas Day showcase.

“This is indicative of the way we win games. Japeth was awesome tonight on the offensive side—and even defensively. He was very active. We encouraged him to shoot threes and he hit them tonight,” Tim Coach said of the Ginebra big man.

“It's a huge weapon that we can continue to use and develop,” Cone added his ward’s skillset.

But it wasn’t only Aguilar who had a stellar night. Cone, the decorated Grand Slam coach, also hit a milestone before an estimated crowd of 23,000, becoming the first tactician to win back-to-back games on Christmas.

The Hotshots, for their part, were off to a hot start. They opened the game with a commanding 13-7 advantage over the crowd favorites but were met by a relentless assault at the end of the first frame.

Paul Lee led the Hotshots with 20 points. Marc Pingris and Allein Maliksi added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

Joe Devance and LA Tenorio teamed up with Aguilar in that decisive moment for Ginebra and never looked back. The diminutive guard and the Filipino-American forward combined for 24 markers that provided a cushion for the Gin Kings up until the payoff period.

The Gin Kings, who have won the previous Christmas iteration of the Manila Clasico at the buzzer, led by as much 12 in the game.

The all-time record for Manila Clasico is in favor of the Purefoods franchise, 94-79, totaling 173 meetings.

Earlier, the Mahindra Floodbuster secured their first win of the season, at the expense of the upstart Blackwater Elite.

The scores:

GINEBRA 86 - Aguilar 32, Devance 17, Tenorio 7, Mariano 7, Thompson 5, Taha 5, Caguioa 4, Marcelo 4, Ellis 3, Mercado 2, Ferrer 0, Helterbrand 0, Cruz 0.

STAR 79 - Lee 20, Pingris 14, Maliksi 13, Ramos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Barroca 6, Melton 5, Reavis 4, Simon 4, Sangalang 0, Brondial 0.

Quarterscores: 25-16, 45-35, 62-61, 86-79