LA Tenorio
MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa coincided on late baskets as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel withstood a late run by newcomer Global Port for a 110-90 win Sunday night in the opener of the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tenorio’s debut with the Kings was good as advertised as the former Alaska Aces playmaker had nine rebounds and dished out 10 assists, four of which coming in the crucial stretch that allowed his team to fight off a furious rally by Batang Pier.
“He brings a lot of intangibles. He had that poise in the end,” said Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen.
“We need somebody to take charge, take control and make it easier for us,” Tanquingcen added.
And Tenorio, along with Caguioa, did all that.
With the Kings, now orchestrating a run-and-gun offense, both flourished.
“They’re feeding of each other’s energy.”
Caguioa trailed and caught a timely pass from Tenorio, who again found Caguioa open for a layup, before hooking up for an alleyoop that put the game out of reach, 108-88, with 1:03 left.
“I know how Mark plays, I’ve been going up against him for a long time,” said Tenorio.
Ginebra also paraded its two Fil-American rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen.
Ellis, the sixth overall pick, contributed 12 points before fouling out with still eight minutes left while Jensen, a stretch big man, surprised everyone with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Rico Maierhofer, who sat out most of last season with an injury, also gave Ginebra a lift.
The former De La Salle standout finished with a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He had two huge putbacks that made it, 99-87, after a Gary David triple pulled Global Port within striking distance.
Interestingly, that trey from David was his first and last made field goal, as he ended up with only nine points on one-of-10 shooting from the field.
Newly acquired Willie Miller had a game-high 26 points to go along with four rebounds and five assists.
Undrafted Rudy Lingganay scored the first 12 points of Batang Pier but cooled off to finish with 14 markers.
The Kings had 32 assists and out-rebounded their opponent, 55-28.