LA Tenorio explodes in clincher as Ginebra reclaims PBA Govs' Cup title

LA Tenorio came alive in Ginebra's title-clinching Game 6 win. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--All the Thursday talk was on the possibility of holding Game 7 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.

But the night later, LA Tenorio completely shut down the fat chance as he came alive for Ginebra in what would be its title clincher.

In what could be his best finals moment since his UAAP days, the former Ateneo King Eagle burst for 30 points as the Gin Kings ended the championship series with a 103-92 win over the Meralco Bolts in Game 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

In front of a season-high 20,224 fans, Tenorio came alive just in time for Ginebra, going 13-for-26 from the field including some huge baskets in the fourth quarter that helped the team build its largest lead at 16, 96-80, with four and a half minutes left.

Meralco, which actually led for most of the first half, tried to mount a late comeback, but the team could only draw to as close as 10.

Tenorio also had four rebounds and the same number of assists for the Gin Kings in Game 6 as they won the championship in the season-ending conference for the second straight time and fourth in the last five occasions the tournament has been played.

Justin Brownlee added 24 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Christian Standhardinger chipped in 19 markers, 13 boards, and four dimes.

Tony Bishop put up 21 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Bolts, who fell short again in their fourth try for a championship against the same Gin Kings squad that has been haunting them since 2016.

The MOA Arena was originally scheduled to be the host for Game 7, but the fire incident at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday forced the PBA to move Game 6 there instead.

With Ginebra's win, the PBA's 46th season culminated at the MOA Arena after all.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno