PBA 46: Gin Kings bounce back, fend off Bossing scare for 1st win

LA Tenorio put up a masterful performance in leading the way for Ginebra. PBA Images

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA—Barangay Ginebra chalked up its first win of the PBA 46th season, downing Blackwater, 96-81, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Friday. 

Stanley Pringle and LA Tenorio took charge in the fourth quarter as the defending champions withstand the Bossing’s second-half uprising to bounce back from its 75-94 loss to NLEX on Sunday. 

Prince Caperal waxed hot early on, notching 12 of his 16 points in the first half for a 45-32 cushion at the half. But Blackwater refused to wilt down, banking on a torrid third quarter orchestrated by Mike Tolomia, enabling the team to come within a basket, 67-69, heading into the final 12 mintues.

Ginebra went on a tear in the fourth, scoring 27 points, including a 10-0 finishing kick in the final three minutes for the victory. The defense also clicked, limiting the Bossing to just 14 points. 

Pringle finished with 19 points with six rebounds and six assists, while Tenorio issued 17 spiked by five triples with seven assists. Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger were the remaining double-digit providers with 14 and 11 in that order. 

“We haven’t put together any pretty basketball yet,” said winning coach Time Cone at post-game. “We are still working for teamwork right now. It’s a little bit of a struggle.”

The loss was the third straight for the Bossing, with Tolomia leading the way with a game-best 22 points, while Simon Enciso got 16 and Kelly Nabong 10. 

The Scores: 

BARANGAY GINEBRA 96—Pringle 19, Tenorio 17, Caperal 16, Aguilar 14, Standhardinger 11, Chan 5, Dillinger 2, Devance 1, Ayaay 1, Enriquez 0. 

BLACKWATER 81—Tolomia 22, Enciso 16, Nabong 10, Magat 8, Daquioag 6, Desiderio 6, Amer 5, Paras 4, Canaleta 2, Semerad 2, Acuno 0, Dennison 0, Escoto 0, Gabriel 0, Torralba 0. 

Quarterscores: 21-13, 45-32, 69-67, 96-81.

Follow him on Twitter: @Teaching_Hero