Tenorio, Ginebra expecting strong fightback from San Miguel

The finals series between defending champion San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra in PBA Commissioner’s Cup has been nothing short of explosive.

Both teams have exchanged haymakers like two slugging heavyweights and won their respective games by at least 25 points.

Ginebra was the first to land the solid blow with a 127-99 Game 1 but the Beermen retaliated with a 134-109 Game 2 and a 132-94 clobbering in Game 3.

And although the Gin Kings were able to tie the series at 2-2 after their 130-100 win in Game 4, point guard LA Tenorio knows San Miguel is just waiting to sneak in another counterpunch.

“Next game we’ll be expecting that San Miguel will come out really strong,” said Tenorio Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I think we had a chance in this game, and I know beating San Miguel is not that easy.”

“It’s nice to have a second win against San Miguel and we’re now tied. I think the pressure’s on them to probably get the next two wins.”

Tenorio, who finished with 17 points and six assists, said it was their strong start to the game that helped them establish their presence against the Beermen.

Ginebra waxed hot in the first quarter going on a meteoric 31-11 run in the first eight minutes that Best Import Justin Brownlee capped with a three-pointer.

“The start really set the tone, and the way we look at the games we always expect it to be close and we didn’t expect it to end this way,” said Tenorio in Filipino. “We just need a one-point win, but the important thing is we get the W.”