ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra drew inspiration from sidelined captain LA Tenorio to outclass San Miguel, 121-112, in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Ynares Center on Friday, March 24.

Tenorio joined the coaching staff in the first game since he announced his cancer battle and the Gin Kings got the job done in the fourth quarter after squandering a massive lead to gain control of the best-of-five affair.

“It is a great honor that he is here with us,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone about having his longtime ward Tenorio on the bench.

Christian Standhardinger fired a season-high 33 points with 10 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jamie Malonzo tallied 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals as they kept the Gin Kings afloat after they blew a 21-point cushion.

Ginebra enjoyed a lead as big as 90-69 and ended the third quarter up 95-80 before the Beermen started the fourth period with a 15-0 blast powered by Vic Manuel to knot the score at 95-95.

But Standhardinger and Malonzo combined for 13 points in a 22-11 run the Gin Kings used to pull away for good.

Justin Brownlee stuffed the stat sheet for Ginebra with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, while Scottie Thompson finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Rookie forward Jeremiah Gray added 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists as all five Gin Kings starters scored in double figures.

The win, though, left much to be desired for Cone.

“We played well. We won the game, so I guess we played well overall, but we had some bad stretches where we did not play well, played a little flat,” Cone said.

“We’re going to have to figure that out and make sure that does not happen to us again.”

Import Cameron Clark showed the way in the loss with 26 points and 9 rebounds as San Miguel saw its three-game winning streak snapped, losing for the first time since prized big man June Mar Fajardo suffered a knee injury.

Without Fajardo, Standhardinger imposed his will inside and shot an ultra-efficient 13-of-19 clip (68%) from the field.

CJ Perez netted 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Marcio Lassiter fired 20 points for the Beermen.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 121 – Standhardinger 33, Malonzo 27, Brownlee 24, Thompson 15, Gray 12, Pringle 7, Pinto 3, Pessumal 0.

San Miguel 112 – Clark 26, Perez 23, Lassiter 20, Cruz 13, Tautuaa 11, Manuel 10, Bulanadi 3, Enciso 3, Herndon 3, Brondial 0, Ross 0.

Quarters: 25-22, 62-47, 95-80, 121-112.

– Rappler.com