LA Tenorio made history Wednesday evening as he led Barangay Ginebra’s 101-93 conquest of Blackwater in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The 34-year-old top-scored for the Gin Kings with 20 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter alone where he became the seventh player in league history to make 1,000 three-pointers.
It was also in the opening frame alone where he registered his 800th career steal. Tenorio finished with seven rebounds and five assists in over 36 minutes of playing time.
But it wasn’t just the 13-year veteran who shone bright in the win, as Justin Brownlee made his mark as well.
The former Best Import and three-time PBA champion notched his fourth triple-double this conference with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in exactly 40 minutes of action.
Brownlee was also instrumental for the Barangay down the stretch. As the Elite rallied from 21 down by knocking within four, 93-97, with 1:25 left, he buried a lay-up 10 seconds later to widen their lead.
Ginebra then made a key steal with 34 seconds left as Blackwater was trying to bring the ball down the court, and Art Dela Cruz sank a teardrop moments later to settle the final count.
“That was a battle both mentally and physically,” exhaled coach Tim Cone as they overcame Blackwater’s tough test.
Japeth Aguilar had 18 points and eight rebounds, Stanley Pringle had 16 points, Greg Slaughter made 11 points and 11 boards, as Scottie Thompson had 10 markers, sx dimes, and five boards.
The crowd darlings have improved to 5-2 to gain a share of the third spot of the standings with the Meralco Bolts, which they will face on Sunday, November 3, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Mac Belo made 19 points and five rebounds to lead Blackwater, who lost its fourth straight game and fell to 2-7.
The Elite will have the opportunity to snap out of their funk as they face the struggling San Miguel Beermen (5-3) next Wednesday, November 6, still at the Cuneta. Astrodome.
The Scores:
Ginebra 101 – Tenorio 20, Aguilar 18, Brownlee 17, Pringle 16, Slaughter 11, Thompson 10, Dela Cruz 6, Chan 3, Caguioa 0, Mariano 0.
Blackwater 93 – Belo 19, Parks 14, Sumang 12, Cruz 11, Heruela 8, Blakely 8, Sena 6, Al-Hussaini 6, Desiderio 3, Canaleta 3, Tolomia 3.
Quarterscores: 29-17, 55-44, 77-64, 101-93.
