by Jonas Terrado
Game Today (Cuneta Astrodome)
7 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco
(Series tied 1-1)
In a classic encounter, LA Tenorio scored a running shot with 14.9 seconds left and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel prevented Magnolia from sweeping their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series last night with a 107-103 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Criticized by the Ginebra faithful for his lackluster showing, Tenorio certainly gave something to cheer for in the dying seconds by breaking a 101-all tie on that shot off a screen by Justin Brownlee, avoiding a major collapse when the Hotshots raced back from 11 down to even take the lead in the final minute.
Paul Lee, who prior to Tenorio’s basket threw a pass into the Magnolia bench, missed a game-winning three with four seconds left as the Hotshots blew their first crack at advancing to the Finals of the season-ending conference.
It appeared that Magnolia was about to complete that mission when it came from being down 100-89 following coach Chito Victolero’s ejection with 5:07 left to grab a 103-101 lead on import Romeo Travis’ acrobatic layup, 50 seconds remaining.
Tenorio missed a difficult layup try but Scottie Thompson leaped as high as he could to score a follow-up, setting the stage for a thrilling finish that lived up to the so-called rivalry known as “Manila Clasico.”
“We’re happy to be alive and kicking,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The series returns to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City tomorrow for Game 4, where Magnolia will look to rediscover its form and deny Ginebra’s comeback bid yet again.
Ginebra rallied from a 58-42 halftime deficit as Cone decided to bench Greg Slaughter and foul-prone Japeth Aguilar, allowing import Justin Brownlee, Thompson and returning Joe Devance to spark a comeback.
The scores:
GINEBRA 107 – Brownlee 46, Thompson 15, Tenorio 14, Aguilar 11, Devance 8, Chan 5, Mercado 3, Slaughter 3, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Barroca 19, Lee 17, Sangalang 16, Travis 12, Jalalon 10, Brondial 10, Dela Rosa 8, Simon 5, Melton 3, Reavis 3, Herndon 0, Gamalinda 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 41-58, 79-81, 107-103.
