Ginebra veteran guard LA Tenorio. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone knew that LA Tenorio was bound for a bounce-back game after his poor shooting in their 88-67 blowout loss to TNT last Sunday.
And that was exactly what the Tenorio did, pouring 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting from deep to help the Gin Kings to a 94-87 win over Phoenix–three days after going 0-of-13 against the Tropang Giga.
It was that kind of turnaround performance that Cone expected from Tenorio.
“He doesn’t play great every night, nobody plays great every night,” said Cone of his veteran guard. “He has bad nights once in a while but every time he has that he will turn around and have a great night.”
“I was not worried at all, I knew he was going to have a great night and he did.”
Tenorio was instrumental in the Gin Kings’ fourth quarter push against the Fuel Masters as he scored six of his total in the final frame.
Tenorio baseline j; Ginebra behind 64-70. #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/EYCuQEbFkK
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 15, 2021
His final three of the game was during Ginebra’s 7-0 game-closing run as he gave the Gin Kings a 92-87 lead with a minute left.
“He was the one who brought us back with his three-point shooting,” said Cone whose team fell by as much as 19, 33-14, in the first half. “He was awesome, not just in terms of shooting but in terms of leadership. I was really impressed with LA.”
Tenorio’s bounce back game also came in at the opportune time for the Gin Kings who are battling for their place in the quarterfinal picture.
The win put Ginebra at a 4-5 record for the eighth spot in the standings with two more games left on its schedule.
“I really believe in that kid, he’s got such a strong mentality. I could talk about him forever.”