‘Desperate’ Ginebra defeats Alaska to snap losing skid

MANILA, Philippines – Prior to their matchup against the Alaska Aces on Tuesday, December 2, some fans of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel took to social media to express their displeasure with starting point guard LA Tenorio, even starting #TradeTenorio on Twitter.

But after Tuesday’s game against the Aces, which Ginebra won, 101-92, it’s safe to say those fans will likely not sing the same song anytime soon.

Tenorio finished with 20 points, 4 assists, and 4 3-pointers, and converted critical basket after another in the fourth quarter where Ginebra, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

“After a certain point, you just get tired of losing. I think the guys were really determined tonight,” Ginebra head coach Jeffrey Cariaso said after the game.  

“We were sort of desperate, our backs were against the wall,” he said about his team’s mentality, coming in losers of three straight. 

“[I’m] just happy with the way the guys played.”

Japeth Aguilar finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Greg Slaughter put up 12 points and 14 boards. Mac Baracael hit 3 three-balls and finished with 19 points, while Joseph Yeo recorded 12 points and dished out 6 assists.

Alaska was led by Calvin Abueva, who had another double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Jvee Casio put up 18 points and 2 assists. No other Aces player scored in double-figures. 

An and-one play by Aguilar with 4:11 to go extended his team’s lead to 10, 91-81, and brought the thousands of Ginebra fans at the Mall of Asia Arena up from their seats. After RJ Jazul hit a 3-ball to quell the momentum, Aguilar converted another basket, unwilling to let his team give a run to the opponents.

Not long after, Tenorio hit a floater on the break to extend his club’s advantage back up to 10, 95-85. Ginebra’s win was punctuated in the late seconds when Aguilar, alone on the break, completed a two-handed slam.

Ginebra, 6-4, will be back in action on Sunday, December 7, when they take on the 7-2 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

“They’re always a talent. They’re peaking at the right time. That’s what’s scary about Rain or Shine,” Cariaso said about his team’s next opponents.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us,” he later said.

Alaska, 8-2, will finish their elimination round campaign against Rain or Shine as well on Friday, November 5. Their game may very well determine who takes the no. 2 seed  and second first-round bye in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, depending also on how the 9-1 San Miguel Beermen finish their campaign. 

Scores:

Ginebra (101) — Tenorio 20, Baracael 19, Aguilar 18, Yeo 12, Slaughetr 12, mamaril 8, Caguioa 6, Ellis 4, Reyes 2, Urbiztondo 0, Helterbrand 0, Brondial 0.

Alaska (92) — Abueva 24, Casio 18, Hontiveros 9, Menk 8, Baguio 7, Jazul 6, Banchero 5, Eman 4, Thoss 4, Manuel 4, Dela Cruz 3, Exciminiano 0.

Quarters: 28-22; 47-48; 73-69; 101-92

Here are some photos of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

– Rappler.com