PBA: Ginebra fends off Blackwater rally behind Tenorio’s efforts

LA Tenorio tries to escape the defense of Brian Heruela. PBA Images/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel escaped Blackwater, 89-82, to move above the .500 mark in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chief playmaker LA Tenorio scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Kings improve to 4-3. Import Michael Dunigan had 27 points and 16 rebounds while 7-foot Greg Slaughter also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

Ginebra blew a 16-point lead it built in the third quarter after Blackwater closed the gap to within two, 77-75, on Rob Celiz’s layup off a fastbreak with 4:25 remaining.

“I just told them not to panic and don’t rush,” said Ginebra head coach Ato Agustin in Filipino.

Tenorio stabilized the offense and the Kings managed to settle down as it responded with an 8-0 run capped by two free throws by Dunigan just a little over a minute later.

“This game is really important for us because we improved in the standings and are now tied in fourth place. We started slow but we were able to recover in the second quarter,” Agustin said.

The Kings trailed by eight at one point in the second quarter before grabbing the lead by halftime. Mark Caguioa and Dunigan scored nine points each in that critical period for Ginebra.

Marcus Douthit posted 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks while Bambam Gamalinda and JP Erram scored 11 apiece for the Elite, who ran out of steam in the final three minutes and suffered their third straight loss since their breakthrough win over the San Miguel Beermen two weeks ago.