THREE days before turning 41, LA Tenorio proved he's still got it - the big heart, the big fight and the big shots.
With Barangay Ginebra teetering on the brink, Tenorio got the call and seized the moment, firing away 11 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning trey in an 88-87 thriller that sent their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals showdown with San Miguel Beer to a decider.
Tenorio was the Vintage LA, responding big time in being coach Tim Cone's "Magic Bunot," saving the Kings from downfall and personally forging a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday.
He punched the air and thumped his chest while the Big Dome crowd erupted to a frenzy with his big shot off Jericho Cruz who was late to react on defense.
With 3.1 seconds left to salvage the game, the Beermen went to CJ Perez, but a missed four-point try sealed SMB's doom, preserving the Ginebra steal and Tenorio's heroics.
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"Miracles do happen. We're grasping for straws all game long trying to find a way to defend June Mar Fajardo with Japeth (Aguilar) cramping most of the game. We turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made big plays down the stretch, something he has down so many times in the past," said Cone.
"More than the big shot, he kept us in the game," Cone also said of the Tenorio juggernaut keeping the Kings in the hunt for another final stint in PBA Season 49.
"Yes, miracles do happen and not just in basketball and in this game but in my personal life," said Tenorio, a cancer survivor.
He said he's just living the moment, being ready always in his role as the virtual elder statesman at Ginebra while also having started a coaching job with the Gilas youth.
In fact, Tenorio is to start gathering the Gilas boys back to practice on Monday.
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"He's to attend three practices," said Cone, referring to the separate workouts of Ginebra, the Gilas seniors and the Gilas youth.
It was a grind-out win with Scottie Thompson, Aguilar, Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos putting in significant numbers.
Thompson, from a zero-rebound performance, sprang back strong with 17 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.
Aguilar tallied 16 markers and four boards before cramping out as Holt, Rosario and Abarrientos chipped in 12 points apiece.
Before the game turned to a battle in the fourth, the Beermen were actually in command, leading by as many as 16.(SB)
The Scores :
GINEBRA 88 - Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 16, Holt 12, Abarrientos 12, Rosario 12, Tenorio 11, Ahanmisi 2, David 2, R.Aguilar 2, Malonzo 2, Cu 0.
SAN MIGUEL 87 - Fajardo 21, Perez 15, Trollano 13, Brondial 12, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 6, Teng 5, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 3, Rosales 2.
QUARTERS: 20-27, 45-54, 67-70, 88-87
