MANILA, Philippines – Count on LA Tenorio to save the day for Barangay Ginebra.
Tenorio hit the game-winning three-pointer as the Gin Kings stayed alive in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, pulling off a pulsating 88-87 win over San Miguel in Game 6 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 6.
His side trailing 71-78 in the fourth quarter, Tenorio came off the bench and scored all of his 11 points in the period, including the triple with 3.1 seconds that allowed Ginebra to force a do-or-die game in the best-of-seven series.
“Miracles do happen,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
Tenorio, 40, saw action for just 9:40 minutes, but he made the most of his playing time, shooting 4-of-5 from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point distance, and adding 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
“We turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made the big plays down the stretch,” said Cone. “He has made shots like that throughout his whole career and I’ve been the beneficiary of those shots.”
Scottie Thompson also starred for the Gin Kings with an all-around performance of 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, the last of which set up Tenorio for his game-winner.
Japeth Aguilar put up 16 points and 4 rebounds, while Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario, and RJ Abarrientos put up 12 points each in the victory.
Best Player of the Conference frontrunner June Mar Fajardo paced the Beermen with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, although his missed free throws down the stretch cost San Miguel.
Fajardo could have given the Beermen a four-point lead, but he missed two of his four foul shots in the final three minutes.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 88 – Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 16, Holt 12, Abarrientos 12, Rosario 12, Tenorio 11, Ahanmisi 2, David 2, R.Aguilar 2, Malonzo 2, Cu 0.
San Miguel 87 – Fajardo 21, Perez 15, Trollano 13, Brondial 12, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 6, Teng 5, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 3, Rosales 2.
Quarters: 20-27, 45-54, 67-70, 88-87.