Dramatic Ginebra win has Christmas nostalgia all over it

Ginebra guard LA Tenorio (5) claps during a Christmas Day game against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It was Christmas nostalgia for LA Tenorio and Barangay Ginebra after stunning the Magnolia Hotshots in familiar fashion on Wednesday.

Down by as many as 22 points, the Gin Kings pulled off a dramatic comeback win over the Hotshots, 95-92, on a buzzer-beating triple by Scottie Thompson at Araneta Coliseum.

Thompson’s clutch shot brought back memories of exactly nine years ago when Tenorio buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat their rivals in overtime and advance to the Philippine Cup semifinals.

READ: PBA: Ginebra rallies, beats Magnolia on Scottie Thompson winner

“Katabi ko pa nga, e. Sabi ko sa kaniya, ‘wag ka aalis diyan, malilibre ka,” Tenorio told Inquirer Sports.

“Same. This game will also be remembered like that time. It’s almost the same area, the left corner and I‘m just so happy for the team and the win. We needed this win after what happened to us last game, we needed this win.”

Ginebra was coming off a 98-91 loss to Converge in Batangas four nights ago in a game where the Gin Kings squandered a 17-point lead.

Thompson had his usual all-around effort in Ginebra’s bounce-back victory, collecting 14 points, five rebounds and six assists as the Gin Kings hiked their record to 4-2.

READ: PBA: Christmas Day finds Magnolia searching for gift vs Ginebra

More than the win, Tenorio was happy to give PBA fans a treat for Christmas.

“Every time we play Manila Clasico or any Christmas game, we really bear in our minds that this game is for the PBA fans.”

“We want to give them a good game so it doesn’t matter if we win or lose, as long as we give them what they deserve to have. That’s the best gift we can give to PBA fans.”

Ginebra plunges back to action on January 5 against San Miguel Beer at the same venue.