PBA: Caguioa, Tenorio combine for 42 as Ginebra drubs Rain or Shine

PBA: Caguioa, Tenorio combine for 42 as Ginebra drubs Rain or Shine
CARLO PAMINTUAN October 7, 2012 8:45pm




Ryan Arana (left) could not collar Mark Caguioa (right), who exploded for 22 big points in 26 minutes of play. Photo Nuki Sabio

The Mark Caguioa - LA Tenorio tandem is one to be feared. "The Spark" poured in 22 big points, while Tenorio chipped in 20 more, as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 98-94, amidst a Finals-like atmosphere, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was a battle between two teams that had something to prove early in the PBA season. For Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, it was to let everyone know that they are legitimate title contenders in the Philippine Cup and that their big win over GlobalPort was a sign of things to come. For Rain or Shine, it was to show that their win against Petron was no fluke and that they could beat any of the teams ranked higher on paper.

The two teams did not disappoint their 14,000 fans, as the superstars performed as expected. Mark Caguioa and Jeff Chan dueled in the fourth quarter in a battle between last season's Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player.

The game was tied at 86 with less than four minutes left in the game, when Ginebra rookie Chris Ellis fouled Chan who was taking a three point shot. Last Governor’s Cup Finals MVP sank two of three free throws to regain the lead for Rain or Shine, but Rico Maierhofer hit an undergoal stab off a Tenorio missed trey to take a three point lead, 93-90.

A lay-up from Jireh Ibanes and a put-back from Gabe Norwood swung the game toward Rain or Shine’s favor, 94-93, before Ginebra staged a late comeback to the delight of the Barangay.

In crunch time, Ginebra found a hero in newly-acquired Tenorio. The former Alaska Ace successively sank a short jumper and two pressure packed free throwsto give Ginebra the lead for good in the final minute. After Chan missed what could have been a game-tying three, Caguioa sealed the deal from the line to give the Gin Kings the victory.



Jeff Chan (left) tries to maintain possession against the tough defense of Barangay Ginebra rookie Chris Ellis. KC Cruz

The first quarter at times looked like a three-point shootout between the teams. TY Tang, Beau Belga, and Norwood sank one triple each for Rain or Shine, while Tenorio, Caguioa, and Allein Maliksi combined for five triples for Ginebra. The high-scoring first quarter ended with the teams deadlocked at 30 points apiece.

Although the second quarter saw less baskets traded between the two teams, the energy of the crowd did not wane. With a little over two minutes left in the second quarter, the Barangay Ginebra fans finally got the dunk that they wanted, but it came from Maliksi instead of Chris Ellis. When it looked like Ginebra was going into the break with the lead, Ronnie Matias and Chan collaborated to give the advantage to the Elasto Painters, 49-46.

Tenorio and Caguioa continued doing damage from deep in the third quarter as they added two more triples to Ginebra’s tally. Willie Wilson and Rico Maierhofer also contributed 11 points as the Kings outscored the Elasto Painters 23-18, setting up the final frame.

Caguioa was the best player of the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and a 4-of-5 shooting clip from beyond the arc, while Rico Maierhofer and Kerby Raymundo added 12 each. The Kings relied on individual effort in this game, as they tallied only 12 assists compared with their 32-assist outing against GlobalPort in the opening game.

"We were not playing well today. It’s good that somehow we were able to squeeze the game out. It’s a very good win," said Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquincen. "It would be interesting to see how we fare against one of the top teams. It's a blessing we got great players who came up big."

Jeff Chan had 25 points, while Ronnie Matias and Gabe Norwood added 14 and 11, respectively. - RAF, GMA News


The scores:

BRGY. GINEBRA 98 - Caguioa 22, Tenorio 20, Maierhofer 12, Raymundo 12, Maliksi 9, Wilson 6, Mamaril 6, Cortez 5, Ellis 2, Jensen 2, Helterbrand 2, Hatfield 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 94 - Chan 25, Matias 14, Norwood 11, Rodriguez 10, Cruz 7, Belga 7, Tang 6, Ibanes 6, Quinahan 5, Arana 3.

Quarters: 30-30, 46-49, 69-67, 98-94

Source: Gmanetwork.com