PBA: Tenorio flashes vintage form as Ginebra forces Game 7 vs. San Miguel

MANILA, July 7 ------ Barangay Ginebra San Miguel refused to bow out of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup just yet. The Gin Kings saved their season after they defeated the San Miguel Beermen, 88-87 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

LA Tenorio flashed his vintage form to save the day for Ginebra, putting up 11 points — three of which came as the go-ahead basket — on top of two rebounds and two assists. "Led by our captain, what can you say? Miracles do happen," said Ginebra Tim Cone after the contest. "He has made shots like that throughout his whole career. We were grasping for straws out there all game long, so we turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made the big plays down the stretch.

Aside from Tenorio, Scottie Thompson also went back into form after previously tallying zero rebounds and zero assists in Games 4 and 5, respectively, as he delivered 17 markers, 16 boards, and eight dimes with a steal. Japeth Aguilar followed with 16 points, while Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario, and RJ Abarrientos scored 12 each as Ginebra tied the series, 3-3. But even with the equally distributed points from the Gin Kings, it was the 'Gineral' who saved the day for the perennial crowd favorites. He hit a three-pointer with still seven minutes left to jump-start a 14-to-3 charge that allowed them to overtake San Miguel Beer, 85-83.

CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo did their part in carrying the Beermen in the end game, however, as the pair made crucial baskets to give SMB an 87-85 lead with still 10 seconds left in the contest. Unfortunately for San Miguel, this was when Tenorio took charge, as following an assist from Thompson, the former Gilas Pilipinas ace drained the go-ahead trey with only two seconds left in the game. This left San Miguel a small chance to steal the win, but Perez missed his shot at the buzzer from four-point range. Perez finished with 15 points, six assists, and four rebounds, while Fajardo top-scored with 21 markers on top of 12 boards. Ginebra and San Miguel will face for the last time this season on Wednesday, July 9, 7:30 p.m.

The Scores:

Ginebra 88 – Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 16, Holt 12, Abarrientos 12, Rosario 12, Tenorio 11, Ahanmisi 2, David 2, R.Aguilar 2, Malonzo 2, Cu 0.

San Miguel 87 – Fajardo 21, Perez 15, Trollano 13, Brondial 12, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 6, Teng 5, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 3, Rosales 2.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 45-54, 67-70, 88-87.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com