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| LA Tenorio led Ginebra three nights after going through 57 minutes of intense basketball. PBA Media Bureau |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Different finish, same winner.
Ginebra leaned on its usual suspects to beat Rain Or Shine, 88-80, in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Three nights after engaging in a triple overtime classic to end the eliminations, the Barangay's starters, tired and all, inflicted the most damage on the Elasto Painters as they scored their second straight win against their opponents, this time securing the victory in regulation.
Ginebra slowly but surely took control of the game in the final three quarters, and the team finally sealed the win on a 12-0 run midway in the final quarter.
LA Tenorio, after logging in almost 57 minutes on Friday night, played for nearly 39 minutes and finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists for the Barangay, who can officially earn a place in the semifinals with a Game 2 win on Wednesday night.
Joe Devance added 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson each tallied 14 markers with the former providing an all-around performance of nine rebounds, four dimes, four blocks, and two steals; and the latter flirting with a triple-double with 15 boards and seven assists with one steal.
Beau Belga had 17 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal for the E-Painters.
Chris Tiu tallied three points, one carom, and three dimes in his return from injury.
Box Scores:
Ginebra 88-Tenorio 16, Devance 15, Thompson 14, J. Aguilar 14, Mercado 13, Ferrer 5, Cruz 4, Mariano 4, Caguioa 2, R. Aguilar 0
Rain Or Shine 80-Belga 17, Daquioag 15, Ahanmisi 10, Ponferada 9, Nambatac 8, Trollano 6, Washington 5, Norwood 4, Tiu 3, Maiquez 2, Borboran 0, Almazan 0
Quarterscores: 21-23, 44-43, 68-64, 88-80
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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