Ginebra banked on LA Tenorio’s heroics in the fourth period of Game 6 to force a sudden death against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals. Can the Gin Kings repeat the effort in Game 7?
If LA Tenorio’s game-winning triple in Game 6 was a miracle, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are hoping lightning strikes twice.
The Gin Kings will ride the momentum of Tenorio’s late-game heroics last time out when they battle the San Miguel Beermen in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday, July 9.
The veteran Tenorio turned back the clock in Game 6, scoring all 11 of his points in the final period—including the go-ahead three-pointer with under 10 seconds left—to complete Ginebra’s stunning 88-87 comeback and force a decider in the epic best-of-seven series.
[RELATED STORY: LA Tenorio after saving Ginebra in Game 6 of PBA semis: ‘I felt like a rookie again’]
“Miracles do happen,” said coach Tim Cone, whose squad now stands one win away from a third straight Finals appearance this season.
Aside from LA, the Gin Kings will once again count on Scottie Thompson’s all-around brilliance. The former MVP flirted with a triple-double in Game 6, tallying 17 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and a steal while playing through a nagging hamstring injury.
Japeth Aguilar added 16 points and four rebounds, while Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario, and RJ Abarrientos chipped in 12 markers apiece in a balanced Ginebra effort.
But the challenge remains steep against a Beermen team thirsting for revenge after falling short in Game 6 despite leading most of the way.
Ginebra knows it will take another miracle—and then some—to hold off San Miguel in a do-or-die duel with a Finals berth against TNT at stake.
[ALSO READ: Thompson lauds Ginebra vet Tenorio for heroic Game 6 showing: 'Classic, legend, idol’]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]