LA Tenorio came through down the stretch as Barangay Ginebra moved on the verge of the PBA Philippine Cup crown with a 98-88 win over TNT at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Sunday, December 6.

Tenorio erupted for 8 of his 22 points in the last 3 minutes to save his team from a colossal meltdown and hand the Gin Kings a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series – a win away from their first All-Filipino title since 2007.

Seeing their double-digit cushion trimmed to just 3 points, 88-85, Tenorio engaged in three-point shootout with Roger Pogoy and drilled in back-to-back triples before he hit the baseline jumper that settled the score.

Japeth Aguilar also finished with 22 points in the win on top of 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Stanley Pringle chimed in 16 points, including the three-pointer that gave the Gin Kings their biggest lead of the game at 82-64.

But the Tropang Giga, despite seeing star guard Jayson Castro exit in the second half and never return due to a hurt knee, fought back behind the hot hands of Pogoy.

Pogoy – who exploded for a game-high 34 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals – buried 3 consecutive triples to cut their deficit to a single possession, 88-91, with a two minutes remaining.

However, that was the closest TNT got as Tenorio anchored the win-clinching 7-0 blitz for Ginebra.

Tenorio also shone in the middle quarters, where he scored 11 points in a 15-0 run Ginebra used to grab a 56-39 advantage.

“This is our best game of the series by far and I think the best game in the conference,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.

“We hit big shots all night, we made plays, we made defensive plays, held the lead for the most part, and then they made their big run.”

Scottie Thompson quietly flirted with a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists for Ginebra, Joe Devance had 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Jared Dillinger added 7 points.

Poy Erram backstopped Pogoy with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Troy Rosario churned out 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss.

The Tropang Giga missed Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Ray Parks for the third straight match as he continues to recuperate from his left calf strain.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 98 – Tenorio 22, Aguilar 22, Pringle 16, Thompson 11, Devance 8, Dillinger 7, Chan 6, Caperal 6, Mariano 0.

TNT 88 – Pogoy 34, Erram 19, Rosario 16, Enciso 10, Reyes 3, Semerad 2, Castro 2, Vosotros 2, Washington 0, De Leon 0, Montalbo 0.

Quarters: 17-14, 49-39, 76-60, 98-88.

– Rappler.com