Barangay Ginebra beats Meralco behind Tenorio’s career-high

LA Tenorio of Ginebra (dark) vs Cliff Hodge of Meralco (light)

MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio set a career-high as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel beat Meralco, 98-85, for its first win in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Tenorio scored a career-best 34 points on five-of-five shooting from the three-point area to go along with six assists.

“Maganda yung umpisa namin, tapos medyo nawala yung focus dahil sa mga calls [We had a good start and then we lost focus because of the calls]. I told them to focus, don’t mind the refs then play our game and just play physical,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin after posting his first win as the Gin Kings mentor.

“Our offense got better, especially LA [Tenorio]. Ginebra is really a fastbreak team and then defense. If defense is good, then the offense will follow. LA is very aggressive,” he said.

Dior Lowhorn and Mark Caguioa added 17 and 15 points for Ginebra, which improved to 1-1 after losing to Petron Blaze in its opening game.

The Bolts suffered their second straight setback after nipping the Boosters in their first game. Import Mario West paced Meralco with 21 points.

Tenorio’s previous high was 33 points he set also against Meralco when he led his former team Alaska to a 104-101 overtime win back in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup.