PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — LA Tenorio made the biggest plays down the stretch and Barangay Ginebra outlasted TNT, 100-94, in overtime for a 1-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Sunday night at Angeles University Foundation gym.
Tenorio showed why he’s one of the best floor generals in the league history, setting up the Gin Kings’ crucial baskets in the fourth quarter and OT.
The 36-year-old Tenorio finished with 12 points and 10 assists, including a nifty pass to a cutting Arvin Tolentino with five seconds left in regulation that paved way for extra time.
“In LA we trust. He’s used to those kinds of situations, he’s used to having the ball in his hands,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone after what he described as an “exhausting” battle that saw both teams go back-and-fourth in the crucial stages.
But it wasn’t just Tenorio for Ginebra, which also drew significant contributions from Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle and its rookie Tolentino.
Aguilar had 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field that went with 16 rebounds while Pringle added 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Tolentino gave the Gin Kings a big lift with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Ray Parks scored 20 points on top of four rebounds, four assists and five steals before fouling out with still 31 seconds to go.
Jayson Castro, who tallied 14 points and five assists, missed an open floater that would’ve won the game for the Tropang Giga at the end of regulation.
Game 2 is on Wednesday night.