Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — LA Tenorio played his best game ever for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, exploding for a career-high 34 points, to lead the Kings to a brilliant 98-85 win against the Meralco Bolts Saturday night in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The 5'9” guard was at his hottest in the second half when he fired 16 points as the Kings erected a 76-64 lead late in the third quarter after being down by as much as nine points in the first half. Tenorio finished with a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range in 35 minutes of action. The tireless Kings kept on piling the points with their scorching running game in the final quarter en route to their first victory in the tournament after debuting with a loss to sister team Petron. Tenorio, one of the stars of the victorious Gilas Pilipinas squad in the Fiba-Asia men's championships and the 2012 Jones Cup MVP, also dished out seven rebounds, seven assists. Coach Ato Agustin credited his first win as Ginebra's top tactician to his team's new-found defensive intensity. As a result, the Kings held the Bolts to just 37.5 shooting from the field (33-of-88). Agustin also paid tribute to Tenorio for his near-perfect game. “He was very aggressive and took care of the ball so well,” the Ginebra coach said. Tenorio's heroics overshadowed the double-double performance of import Dior Lowhorn who had 17 points and 15 boards. Mark Caguioa and new acquisition Japeth Aguilar also starred for the Kings, with Caguioa finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, and six assists, and Aguilar chipping in with 13 points, seven rebounds and four shot blocks. Meralco suffered a second loss in three games. The Bolts appeared to be in control early in the game, leading 28-19, at the end of the first quarter. They managed to ward off the surging Kings in the second quarter, holding Lowhorn scoreless, to take a 44-43 halftime lead. Former Ginebra player John Wilson led the Bolts in their second-quarter attack, scoring 11 points, including two triples. Wilson also played good defense on Caguioa who was whistled for a flagrant foul in frustration at his former teammate's leech-like guarding. The second half, however, belonged to the Kings as their furious running game finally slowed down the tiring Bolts. Import Mario West led Meralco with 21 points, while Wilson finished with 17 markers. Cliff Hodge and Reynel Hugnatan added 16 and 10 points respectively.
