By Adrian Stewart Co
LA Tenorio unloaded clutch triples as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings pulled off a 125-121 win over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
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Tenorio converted a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to send the match into overtime before connecting another outside hit in the overtime to seal the Kings’ come-from-behind triumph.
Tenorio had a near triple-double numbers of 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the defending champions Kings climbed to second place in the standings with 3-0 win-loss slate.
Justin Brownlee tallied 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Christian Standhardinger chipped in 30 markers as Arvin Tolentino and Earl Scottie Thompson ended up with 20 and 17 points, respectively, for Ginebra.
The Kings were headed to defeat after being down 112-107 with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter behind back-to-back baskets by Fuel Masters rookies Nicholas Demusis and Aljun Melecio.
Brownlee pulled the Kings to within 109-112 with a short jumper followed by a steal and a layup by Tolentino to make it 111-112. After split free throws by Phoenix’s Melecio and Paul Harris, Tenorio converted a triple for Ginebra to tie the count at 114-all.
Phoenix opened the scoring in the extension period with a layup from Chris Banchero for a 116-114 edge. A technical free throw by Tenorio and a reverse layup by Thompson gave the Kings a 117-116 upperhand.
A split free throw by Harris and a layup by Melecio gave Phoenix the lead anew at 119-117 but Tolentino answered with a corner three-pointer as Barangay Ginebra notched a 120-119 edge.
Phoenix got the lead for the last time at 121-120 on a layup by Matthew Wright. Two free throws by Standhardinger and a triple by Tenorio with 9 seconds left surged the Kings ahead at 125-121.
Harris finished the game with 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Wright added 20 markers, while Jason Perkins and Banchero ended up with 19 and 18 respectively as the Fuel Masters fell to 2-2./ASC, WDJ