LA Tenorio hopes Ginebra’s morale-boosting win over Rain or Shine in Dubai would give the team its much-needed confidence in the PBA Governors Cup.
“Hopefully, this is the start na ng pagbalik ng confidence namin as a team. Kailangan lang maging consistent kami every game,” he said following the 93-81 victory at the Al Shabab Sports Complex early Saturday morning (Manila time).
Tenorio finished with a personal conference-high of 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four steals as he makes up for the lackluster showing of the ailing Sol Mercado, who was down with food poisoning.
"Nag-step up lang talaga ako kanina kasi medyo na food poison si Sol so I picked up my game din," Tenorio told Spin.ph.
"We really need this win. We started strong and that's the key."
The Kings' fiery start saw them establish an early 40-19 advantage in the second period.
The Elasto Painters though, didn't simply roll over and die.
Led by import Wendell McKines, Rain or Shine staged a gutsy fightback and grabbed the upperhand at 63-60 midway in the third quarter.
But the Kings weathered the storm and were back in the driver’s seat by the time the payoff period began.
Tenorio also acknowledged the much-needed lift Ginebra got from returning big man Japeth Aguilar, who scored nine straight points late in the game to help seal the Kings’ second win in five starts.
Aguilar marked his return from a right hamstring injury by finishing with 15 points.
"Having Japeth back in the lineup is big for us kasi nagkaroon kami ng confidence din to shoot dahil may added big guy pa," said Tenorio.
Ginebra is expected to arrive on Sunday afternoon in Manila.
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