Ginebra notches first win, topples Alaska in Dubai

By Mark Giongco

Greg Slaughter sank the game-winning free throws and Barangay Ginebra salvaged a 93-92 squeaker over Alaska in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup early Sunday morning (Manila time) at Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai.

Slaughter calmly buried the go-ahead freebies with 4.1 seconds left off a foul by Noy Baclao before Vic Manuel and JVee Casio missed potential game winners for the Aces as time ran out.

The 7-foot Slaughter put up big numbers anew and this time his 27-point, 19-rebound effort didn’t go to waste with the Kings picking up their first win under head coach Tim Cone after opening the season with a couple of embarrassing losses to Star and Barako Bull.

The Aces trailed by 19 at the half before finding their way back behind Calvin Abueva and even taking a 92-91 edge following a tough basket by Vic Manuel with only 14.9 ticks to go.

Alaska absorbed its first loss after winning its first three assignments including a victory over Mahindra less than 24 hours ago also at the same venue.

Slaughter went 15-of-17 from the free throw line as he and Japeth Aguilar made use of their size advantage against Alaska’s solid but smaller frontline.

Aguilar also recorded a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

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