La Tenorio exploded for a career-high 27 points to power the Alaska Aces to a 102-95 humbling of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters Wednesday night in Game 1 of the best-of-seven KFC PBA Philippine Cup finals series. But it was Alaska's vaunted defense that shut down Talk N Text, the league's number one offensive team averaging more than 100 points a game. Nowhere was this more evident than in the second quarter when the Aces limited the Texters to just 14 points after allowing their rivals to score 30 in the first quarter. TNT head coach Chot Reyes blamed the loss on Tenorio's outstanding all-around game. “Tenorio ate my guards for breakfast,” he said. “He ate them, chewed them and spat them out.” Alaska head coach Tim Cone likewise heaped praises on his starting point guard. “La played a great game. I asked him to dictate our tempo, pick his times and he did just those,” he said. The 102-point production was the Aces' highest since scoring a 113-86 win over the same team last Nov. 22. Game Two of the Finals is set Friday also at the Araneta Coliseum. Tony Dela Cruz also starred for Alaska, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to go with his four assists and five steals. Moreover, Dela Cruz frustrated Mark Cardona all evening long with his tenacious defense, limiting the Texters' top gunner to just 14 points. Once again, Harvey Carey shone for Talk N Text, scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to lead his team. Earlier in the battle for third place, the Sta. Lucia Realtors outlasted San Miguel, 99-97. The Beermen played minus four key players – Danny Seigle, Dorian Pe?a, Lordy Tugade and Jay Washington. Seigle was bothered by a lower back spasm; Tugade still was feeling pains from his left knee injury; Pe?a had yet to recover from his severe right ankle sprain; while Washington had sore ribs suffered in the semifinals series against Talk N Text. Washington only joined his teammates when the game was already more than halfway in the third quarter. He was not fielded. The win enabled Sta. Lucia to thwart San Miguel's bid to become the first team to win 1,000 games and capture its 15th third place. Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez said he was personally satisfied with his team's third place finish. “It was a good run for us, even though we fell short of the Finals by two wins,” he said. The Realtors were dethroned by the Aces in six games in the semifinals. Alaska 102 – Tenorio 27, Thoss 19, dela Cruz 17, Devance 14, Miller 11, Cariaso 7, Hugnatan 4, Ferriols 2, Fonacier 1, Sotto 0. Talk N Text 95 – Castro 18, Carey 17, Cardona 14, Alapag 12, De Ocampo 11, Dillinger 10, Ritualo 9, Peek 4. Quarters: 23-30, 47-44, 72-73, 102-95. Sta. Lucia 99 - Espino 21, Williams 15, Miranda 13, Yeo 8, Omolon 8, Coronel 8, Mendoza 7, Gregorio 5, Aquino 5, Gonzales 4, Mamaclay 2. SMB 97 - Gonzales 25, Pingris 20, Calaguio 19, Racela 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 7, Hontiveros 5, Custodio 3, Bono 3. Quarters: 28-34, 57-61, 83-84, 99
