By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings played an inspired brand of basketball after the return of LA Tenorio last December 3, 2023, held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
During the highly-anticipated comeback game of “The Gineral”, the Gin Kings got the number of the rolling Terrafirma Dyip, 110-99.
Tenorio, who was diagnosed with colon cancer several months ago, officially came back for Ginebra and started the game that put the crowd on their feet.
The PBA multi-champion quickly let his presence felt for Ginebra after contributing six points, three assists, a rebound, and a steal in 25 minutes of playing time.
Despite playing in spurts and under minutes restriction, the return of Tenorio was nothing but a sigh of relief for head coach Tim Cone.
“We know it’s an arduous journey to get back. Started in tears, now we have such joy for him getting back,” said Cone after Tenorio officially suited up for them again.
Terrafirma was still keeping themselves within striking distance in the first half led by the hot-shooting of Isaac Go, Juami Tiongson, and Javi Gomez de Liaño.
However, after Ginebra clamped Terrafirma down in the second half with their tight perimeter defense, the Dyip started to slow down and failed to buy a basket in a crucial sequence of the fourth frame.
Tony Bishop led the Gin Kings in scoring with 26 big points and 11 rebounds alongside four assists, two steals, and a block.
Meanwhile, the veteran big men duo of Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar combined for 43 markers.
Ginebra will look to sustain its fine play against another hot team in Phoenix on December 9, 2023, while Terrafirma will go up against the Converge FiberXers on December 13, 2023.
