TENORIO LIFTS GINEBRA PAST ALASKA
With the going getting tough for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, LA Tenorio decided it’s time to take over.
Tenorio imposed himself more, setting up his teammates and making his own attacks as the Kings checked a three-game slump and moved up to solo fifth in the PBA Philippine Cup with a crucial 101-92 win over the Alaska Aces Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Averaging just 6.4 points going into the game, Tenorio delivered 22 points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal as he came out aggressive in this contest.
“A lot of people were hard on him, and that’s because of his status as the starting point guard of the national team. He was expected to put up numbers,” said Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso.
“But I’m not worried about him. He’s initiating, he’s running our offense and he’s getting our guys get the shots. The guys are just missing their shots,” Cariaso pointed out. “What’s good about special players are when they know that their teammates are struggling, they take over.”
Tenorio did just that, playing big as the Kings snapped their losing skein and thus stayed in strong contention for the Top Six.
“Actually, it’s not just LA. The guys really came out to play. Copying what Byron Scott said after the Lakers won (Monday) ‘after a certain point, you get tired of losing,’” said Cariaso.
“The guys were really determined tonight. We’re sort of desperate,” Cariaso added.
However, the Kings still need to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their final game to seal a place in the Top Six and secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Mac Baracael, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and Joseph Yeo also came through with solid performances as Ginebra stopped Alaska and relegated the Aces to second place at 8-2.
And like Ginebra, Alaska will have to pass through Rain or Shine to salvage a Top Two finish and an outright semifinal berth.
Entering the final week of the elims, San Miguel is the solo leader at 8-1, followed by Alaska at 8-2, Rain or Shine at 7-2 and Talk n Text at 6-3.
Tenorio matched up well with Jvee Casio with the Ginebra guard going 8-of-15 from the field while his Alaska counterpart struck with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Aguilar, Slaughter and Yeo stood their ground versus Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio as the Kings overcame a tough grind, gaining full control only in the fourth quarter.
The Kings threatened to pull away in the second quarter but the Aces responded quickly and seized a 48-47 edge at the turn.
Casio and Abueva stopped the early Ginebra breakaway, taking turns in delivering big plays towards the end of the second quarter.
The duo combined for 17 points as Alaska overhauled an 11-point deficit, 27-38, then carried a one-point lead over into the final half. (SB)
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