LA Tenorio turned back the clock and saved Barangay Ginebra from the jaws of defeat against San Miguel, 88-87, to force a Game 7 in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Hardly used in the series, the 40-year-old guard came into the final period and went on to score all of his 11 points there — none bigger than the go-ahead trifecta to erase an 87-85 deficit with 3.1 seconds left to play.
A missed four-pointer by CJ Perez on the other end and a rebound by Scottie Thompson as time expired were all enough for the Kings to secure the victory and make sure that their Finals aspirations remain very much alive.
(C) PBA Images
“Miracles do happen,” said Coach Tim Cone as the crowd darlings completed the comeback from as much as 16 down thanks to his most trusted ward.
“We were grasping for straws all game long… and we turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made the big plays down the stretch — that’s something we haven’t been able to do in this series,” added the champion mentor.
Tenorio shot 4-of-5 from the floor, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the first arc. He triggered the Kings’ fightback after trailing by nine, 80-71, with eight minutes remaining in the said period — that, after allowing the Beermen to a 10-0 run.
Ginebra had already snatched the lead at 71-70 after Raymond Aguilar and RJ Abarrientos opened the fourth with a bucket each. However, Don Trollano and Rodney Brondial put together the said run for SMB to restore some semblance of order.
The 19-year vet got himself going, sinking a crucial triple — which actually bounced a few times before falling — to halt that scoring rally.
That shot would trigger a 14-3 run wherein Tenorio scored a total of eight points, giving the team an 85-83 lead with 3:20 remaining.
CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo still tried to save San Miguel by regaining the lead at 87-85 with 11.1 seconds left, but that proved to be their final gasp. Jericho Cruz committed a defensive lapse and left Tenorio with enough space.
“Just LA’s presence allowed us to make the big plays down the stretch, and obviously the big shot. But it was a lot more than just the big shot. It was the plays before that that kept us in the game,” Cone said.
Thompson, playing through a hamstring issue, looked like he’s regained his old form as he led Ginebra with 17 points, on top of 16 rebounds and eight assists.
Japeth Aguilar had 16 points, while the trio of RJ Abarrientos, Stephen Holt, and Troy Rosario all finished with 12 points each and combined for 15 rebounds in a collective effort much appreciated by the pro-Kings crowd in attendance.
“The crowd never gave up on us. We were down and we made a little bit of a run and they go crazy … The crowd wouldn’t let us quit,” Cone said.
(C) PBA Images
Fajardo, on the other hand, had 21 points and 16 rebounds with five assists to lead San Miguel in the loss, which may linger a bit for the eight-time MVP after making just two of his free throws inside the game’s last 2:47.
Perez had 15 points with six rebounds and four assists. Trollano made 13 points while Brondial saw his 12-point, 12-rebound outing go down the drain.
Game 7 is on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
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.
Quarterscores: 20-27, 45-54, 67-70, 88-87.
