Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Japeth Aguilar during a PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Japeth Aguilar had a straightforward answer when asked why Ginebra lost Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

After San Miguel Beer handed Ginebra a 100-83 defeat at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Aguilar was quick to call out the squad’s lack of urgency at the start.

READ: PBA: San Miguel gets back at Ginebra to tie semis at 1-1

“They came in and started the game with great energy and we weren’t ready,” Aguilar told Inquirer Sports.

“I feel like we had a good game plan but we just didn’t execute it.”

Japeth Aguilar laments Ginebra’s Game 2 loss and what could’ve been a 2-0 lead in favor of the Gin Kings. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/R4mdud1ANc

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Aguilar had his own struggles in the loss, finishing with just five points and five rebounds. His impact was further diminished by six costly turnovers in a game that saw the Beermen tie the series at 1-1.

READ: PBA: Mo Tautuaa fills June Mar-sized hole in San Miguel win

Ginebra’s sluggish start didn’t help its bid for a 2-0 series lead. San Miguel jumped to a 26-15 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

“We didn’t take the opportunity while June Mar (Fajardo) had limited minutes. The bottom line is, we weren’t ready,” said the Gilas big man.

“We just have to stay focused, and it has to start with us, the starters. We need to start the game ready, and we couldn’t do that today,” he added.

Aguilar and the Gin Kings will try to avoid back-to-back losses when they face the Beermen in Game 3 on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.