Almost everyone contributed a lot in the match; Japeth Aguilar and Stanley Pringle scored the most in the overtime and LA Tenorio produced lots of assists for the squad that took them to a win over the TNT Tropang Giga. 

TNT took the lead in the late fourth quarter with 91-90 following Jayson Castro’s three points over the arms of Japeth Aguilar with 36.6 left. 

Later, Ray Parks was fouled by Ginebra, unfortunately, his second shot missed giving TNT a 92-90 lead with 12.2 remaining on the clock. 

Tenorio’s critical assist led Arvin Tolentino with a stunning lay-up that tied the game at 92 with 5.0 seconds left in regulation.

Castro rushed in but his attempted floater misfired taking the Kings to an extended game.

Pringle and Aguilar built momentum in the overtime, making the first four points of the match. 

Tenorio continues to provide assists with two consecutive successful passes that consist of a dish-off to Aljon Mariano inside followed by a drop pass to Aguilar for the slam with 31.1 seconds. In the end, Barangay Ginebra pulled off an 8-2 in the extension. 

Praises are everywhere for Tenorio, especially from head coach Tim Cone, who finished with 12 points and 10 assists. 

The man can’t believe how Tenorio recovered gradually 13 days after removal from his appendectomy when Ginebra played its first game inside the bubble and reached its peak just in the right time as they made it to the final round series.

“I mean, the guy came from surgery, literally a week and a half before he came to the bubble. They told us he was 3-4 weeks out, minimum. He played his first game 13 days after surgery. That’s amazing,” said Cone.

Cone saw Tenorio struggling in their first few games inside the bubble arena. 

“I tell you, in our sixth or seventh game, he was late getting on the bus going to the game because they had to clean his wounds. His wounds were oozing and they had to clean his wounds,” added Cone.

But as the games progressed and the Gin Kings advanced to their second straight PBA Finals series, Tenorio played in his top shape.

“We put the ball on LA’s hands and make him make the decisions. He was really asking for it, he was really asking for the ball. In LA we trust. He has been around for us for so long. He is used to that kind of situation when he has the ball on his hands,” said Cone complementing his prized point guard. 

Aguilar produced 25 points and Pringle had 24 points with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.

On the other hand, Parks provided 20 points and 5 steals and owned the highlight of the match after he dunked on Tolentino in the first quarter while Pogoy had 19 points and 6 rebounds while Castro added 12 points but fell short to the Gin Kings. 

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 100 – J. Aguilar 25, Pringle 24, Thompson 15, Tolentino 14, Tenorio 12, Mariano 6, Chan 2, Devance 2, Dillinger 0, Caperal 0.

TNT 94 – Parks 20, Pogoy 19, Washington 14, Castro 12, Erram 10, Enciso 9, Rosario 8, Semerad 2, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0.

Quarters: 22-27; 41-41; 92-92; 100-94.