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A deluge of emotions poured over the noisy Smart Araneta Coliseum in Game 3 of the semifinals series between TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
As the predominantly Ginebra crowd shouted the deafening “Gi-Ne-Bra” chant, TNT head coach Nash Racela exchanged barbs with Gin Kings governor Alfrancis Chua in the halftime break.
And with emotions running high between both camps, Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio just reminded his teammates to calm down and just play their game.
READ: Ginebra routs TNT in Game 1 of PBA semis
“I kept on reminding the players, especially during the halftime break, that we’re not going to back down but we’re going to play smart,” said Tenorio Friday as his Gin Kings escaped the KaTropa 106-103 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Physicality has been an encompassing theme of the game with Ginebra and TNT combining for 59 fouls, two more than the total free throw attempts between the two teams.
Things got heated in the second quarter between TNT import Glen Rice Jr. and Ginebra rookie Kevin Ferrer and this altercation led to the Racela-Chua beef behind the Big Dome’s curtains.
READ: TNT pulls even, turns back Ginebra in semis game 2
Tenorio, who also tried to calm things down between Racela and Chua, was seen trying to pacify any potential outbursts in the second half, talking to both his teammates and Racela to prevent any more arguments.
“I just kept on reminding the players that they have to be smart and that they can’t complain too much about the officiating because it’s beyond our control,” said Tenorio who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
“The officials are just doing their job, and us players should also do our job. We have to defend, be physical, but be smart.”