LA Tenorio. Photo by KC Cruz/PBA photo
MANILA, Philippines — LA Tenorio turned in an eye-popping performance as Ginebra defeated Alaska, 96-89, Saturday in the 2013 PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tenorio was efficient in just 29 minutes of play, finishing with 24 points along with eight rebounds and six assists as he kept the Kings in control for the better part of the second half.
The wily guard, though, had a lot of help from Ginebra’s towering front line as Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter scored 21 and 18, respectively, and combined for 15 rebounds.
Momentum shifted heavily towards the Kings late in the third quarter, where Ginebra’s troika conspired for a 16-6 run to give them the lead for good after trailing early in the period.
The Kings, who got off to a good start for 23-9 in the first quarter, kept the advantage in the payoff period although the Aces stayed within striking distance.
Tenorio nailed two freebies, and then found a cutting Chris Ellis with a minute and fourty to go to establish a 91-85 lead. A bucket from Aguilar and Ellis put the Kings beyond reach.
“We were able to adjust. Early, we started good but when things turned around, we were still able to regroup,” said head coach Ato Agustin.
Before its Christmas day joust against Petron, the Kings extended their winning streak to four games even with star Mark Caguioa still out of his rhythm.
“He’s still struggling, coming off an illness,” said Agustin as Caguiao finished with three measly points in eight minutes.
The Aces, who shrugged off a slow start and took a 55-46 lead early in the third quarter, just didn’t have the answer to the Tenorio-led attack.
Jvee Casio had a valiant 27-point effort, including three 3-pointers along with three rebounds and three steals for Alaska, which dropped to 3-6.