MANILA – LA Tenorio had a triumphant return as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings walloped Terrafirma Dyip, 110-99, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Sidelined for almost nine months due to stage 3 colon cancer, Tenorio made an impact for the Gin Kings in the second half as he tallied back-to-back triples to end up with six points to go with three assists, one rebound and one steal.
“We missed his leadership and it was evident on the court in the second half, we struggled against (Terrafirma’s) zone and LA stepped up with two big three pointers to keep us going,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
Tony Bishop Jr. led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger chipped in 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Gin Kings improved to a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Japeth Aguilar contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, while Jamie Malonzo and Maverick Ahanmisi ended with 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the defending champions Ginebra.
Javi Gomez de Liano finished with 22 points, Thomas Hugo De Thaey added a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Kemark Cariño, Juan Miguel Tiongson, and George Isaac Go ended with 14, 13 and 10, respectively, as the Dyip dropped to 2-4.
Meanwhile, Meralco Bolts got a timely basket from Chris Banchero to hold off sister team NLEX Road Warriors, 97-94. The Bolts improved to a 3-2 record, while the Road Warriors dropped to 2-4.
Ahead 82-62 after three quarters, the Bolts were surprised by a huge fourth quarter run by the Road Warriors, which tied the score at 94-all via a three-pointer from Celedonio Trollano with 22 seconds left.
Banchero then wasted the time before pulling up for a basket to give the Bolts a 96-94 lead with two seconds left. After a Road Warriors turnover, Kier John Quinto sealed the win for Meralco with a free throw.
Suleiman Braimoh Jr. top-scored for the Bolts with 38 points to go with eight rebounds, Banchero added 15 markers, while Chris Newsome and Quinto contributed 14 and 12 markers, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 110 – Bishop 26, Standhardinger 24, J. Aguilar 19, Malonzo 14, Ahanmisi 10, Tenorio 6, Pinto 6, Pessumal 3, Cu 2, Pringle 0, Gumaru 0, R. Aguilar 0.
TERRAFIRMA 99 – Gomez De Liano 22, De Thaey 18, Cariño 14, Tiongson 13, Go 10, Holt 7, Ramos 4, Mina 3, Alolino 2, Calvo 2, Cahilig 2, Camson 2, Daquioag 0, Miller 0.
Quarterscores: 25-29, 53-42, 83-68, 110-99.
