LA Tenorio of Ginebra (light) vs Jason Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk N Text (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Mark Caguioa, the long-time leader of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, fouled out at the most inopportune time.
Caguioa threw his headband up in the air out of frustration as he walked towards the bench.
But as Caguioa crossed the mid-court line, he was stopped by LA Tenorio as both stood under the Araneta Coliseum scoreboard that flashed just a 101-97 Ginebra lead over Talk ‘N Text with still close to three minutes left.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanya, ‘sige ako na ang bahala,'” said Tenorio, assuring Caguioa that the game and the last quarterfinals slot would be theirs amid a Talk ‘N Text uprising.
Tenorio stayed true to his word.
Import Dior Lowhorn bailed the Gin Kings out with a hook shot with two seconds left on the shot clock that stretched the cushion to five, 103-98, with 2:27 remaining after a free throw by Larry Fonacier off of Caguioa’s sixth foul.
But from that point on, it was all Tenorio.
Tenorio scored the Kings’ last seven points — highlighted by a three-point play that sealed the game.
“Isa lang nasa isip ko that time. It’s about time na mag-take charge ako,” said Tenorio just moments after making another case for the MVP honors with 24 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.
It was at the worst possible time when Caguioa picked up his sixth foul and Tenorio knew it was the best moment for him to take matters into his own hands.
Ginebra will face top-seeded Petron Blaze Boosters in the quarterfinals.
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