Ginebra guard LA Tenorio got the start in Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—LA Tenorio may just be what Ginebra needed to turn things around against TNT in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Tenorio did not play in the first two games of the series but got the start in Game 3 and made a big difference for the Gin Kings in their breakthrough victory on Friday.
“We started LA just to lengthen our rotation and I thought he did a tremendous job… I thought that was a real change for us that helped,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after preventing the Tropang Giga from taking a 3-0 series lead.
READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra plays big on both ends to chop TNT lead to 2-1
“We have a style of play that we wanted to come out with that he was very comfortable with and that we’ve done in the past.”
The 40-year-old Tenorio helped set the tone for Ginebra and finished with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and four steals in 16 quality minutes.
“He made some really key baskets and got a couple of steals. But most importantly, he played the game the way we wanted to play it and the tempo that we really wanted to set. That was really crucial,” said Cone.
Tenorio starting the game also helped the other guards Scottie Thompson and Maverick Ahanmisi flourish.
“I was confident playing with Kuya LA because we already know each other for how many years now,” said Thompson, who had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
READ: PBA Finals: Ahanmisi thrives off Ginebra bench in Game 3 win
“Even when he’s off the court, he’s the one who coaches me and I was excited even before this game when I found out that we’ll play alongside each other. He’s a winner,” added the 2021 PBA MVP.
Ahanmisi came off the bench and had his best game of the series with 16 points, eight rebounds and a steal.
“Putting LA in the starting lineup was pretty big for us because it changed the pace of the game,” said Ahanmisi, who scored just 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field in Games 1 and 2 combined.