TENORIO’S 34-PT ERUPTION POWERS GINEBRA PAST MERALCO
LA Tenorio isn’t yet ready to relax after his triumphant journey with Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian joust.
The 5-foot-8 guard stayed businesslike in his return to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, exploding for a career-high 34 points to power the Kings to a 98-85 win over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Saturday.
Tenorio made the big difference as the Kings broke into the win column in the tourney while dealing the Bolts a second loss in three outings.
“The team’s mindset was to get that first win. Alam namin maigsi ang tournament at mahirap mabaon sa ilalim. Yun din ang mindset ko,” said Tenorio.
Given a special plaque at halftime for his Gilas participation, Tenorio returned ablaze in the second half, torching the Bolts with 16 points in the third quarter.
“Japeth Aguilar and I would like to thank the PBA for the tribute. And also special thanks to our coaches. They told me at the half ako na bahalang mag-distribute at be ready to play for 24 minutes in the second half. Salamat sa tiwala nila,” said Tenorio.
“Wala pa kaming dalawang linggo ni Japeth na nageensayo sa team. Di pa namin kabisado ang system at rules,” Tenorio added.
But coach Ato Agustin did let Tenorio loose in the final half, and the 2012 Jones Cup MVP responded with a career game spiked by 5-of-5 three-pointers.
Tenorio surpassed his previous best of 33 points and also logged seven rebounds and the same number of assists.
“He was very aggressive and took care of the ball so well,” said Agustin.
With Tenorio taking charge, the Kings regained control in the third quarter and went on to nail their first win after losing their conference debut to the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Meralco banked on the exploits of its second group in making a big charge in the second quarter, taking a 44-43 halftime edge after trailing by nine, 19-28, at the end of the opening canto.
John Wilson stood at the forefront of their second-quarter assault, piling up 11 points, including two three-pointers.
The former Ginebra player also did a good job on the defensive end, at one point drawing a flagrant infraction from a frustrated Mark Caguioa.
The Bolts put up a solid defensive job together holding Lowhorn scoreless in the second canto.
The Kings, however, regrouped and regained control in the second half. (SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 98 – Tenorio 34, Lowhorn 17, Caguioa 15, Aguilar 13, Ellis 9, Helterbrand 6, Urbiztondo 4, Baracael 0, Maierhofer 0, Wilson 0, Mamaril 0.
Meralco 85 – West 21, Wilson 17, Hodge 16, Hugnatan 10, Ross 6, Timberlake 6, Salvacion 5, Mangahas 2, Reyes 2, Baclao 0, Guevarra 0.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 43-44, 76-69, 98-85.
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