Romwel Anzures

Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Semifinals Game 6. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751807451774IMG_7323.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Semifinals Game 6. Photo from PBA Images."/>Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Semifinals Game 6. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was on the brink of seeing their PBA Season 49 campaign come to an end on Sunday.</div>Facing a 3-2 deficit in their Best-of-7 semifinals series against the San Miguel Beermen, and despite already crawling back from a 16-point deficit, the Gin Kings saw themselves down 80-71 with only seven minutes left in the game.This was similar to how Games 4 and 5 ended, with Ginebra suddenly seeing the Beermen break away by making a second-half run to chalk up the victory.Fortunately for Tim Cone’s troops, the ‘Gineral’ came to the rescue for the Barangay faithful in Game 6.LA Tenorio hit a triple to not only cut their deficit to six, but his shot also jumpstarted a 14-to-3 surge that allowed Ginebra to overtake San Miguel, 85-83, four minutes later.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/6/pba-tenorio-flashes-vintage-form-as-ginebra-forces-game-7-vs-san-miguel-1932">READ: Tenorio flashes vintage form as Ginebra forces Game 7 vs. San Miguel</a></div>And while the Beermen retook the lead with only 10 seconds left following, Tenorio’s heroics — much like when he brought Ginebra multiple championships and Finals MVPs in his prime — was in full display anew, as the Ateneo de Manila University product drained the go-ahead triple for an 88-87 lead, and eventually the victory.“Led by our captain, what can you say? Miracles do happen. He has made shots like that throughout his whole career,” raved Cone. “We were grasping for straws out there all game long, so we turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made the big plays down the stretch.”“It’s something we haven’t been able to do in this series, but LA’s presence out there allows us to make big plays down the stretch. It was plays before that when he kept us in the game. I’ve been the beneficiary of those shots, he’s put my kids through college doing those kinds of things, so no one appreciates those things the way that I do,” added the Gilas Pilipinas mentor.However, this was not even the original plan of Cone as he was already planning to take Tenorio out and take Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos back to the hardwood.“To be honest, we were originally gonna take LA out, but he made a three, he made another play, so we can’t take him away at that point,” he revealed. “But the key was, these guys got down and dirty. They competed for rebounds, came in the paint, and battled against June Mar, [Rodney] Brondial, and [Don] Trollano.”Meanwhile, for Tenorio, who was seeing limited action throughout the conference, playing meaningful playoff minutes reminded him of how his early years in the league went.“I felt like a rookie again, because as a rookie, you want to make something happen and you want to help right away,” said the Batangas native. “That’s what I felt, honestly, even though I’ve been playing in the PBA for almost 20 years.”In addition to Tenorio’s on-court battles, he is also still receiving continuous treatment due to his cancer history, and he shared how this adds to his motivation to make the most out when his number is called.“Just like what Coach Tim said, miracles do happen,” he said. “Not just in this game, but also in my personal life, that’s why when I step on the court, I try to make something happen. I really need to be on point with what I do.”That is why for Tenorio — who also has a championship with Cone dating back to their days with Alaska Milk — his focus is doing what he can to help the team win, whether that is hitting game-winning shots or providing leadership from the sidelines.“For this game, I was really ready not to go home and have a vacation yet,” he emphasized. “You never know what’s gonna happen. In my next game, I may not even be playing anymore, but what I learned from Coach Tim throughout the years is you live through the moment, stay in the moment, and focus on what’s in front of you.”“With the trust of the coaching staff, especially Coach Tim and Boss [Alfrancis Chua], they are keeping me always engaged in the game. Thank God, miracles do happen,” he said.

Ginebra was on the brink of seeing their PBA Season 49 campaign come to an end on Sunday, but LA Tenorio turned back the hands of time to save the day for the Gin Kings.

Ginebra was on the brink of seeing their PBA Season 49 campaign come to an end on Sunday, but LA Tenorio turned back the hands of time to save the day for the Gin Kings.

Miracles do happen: Tenorio ‘felt like a rookie again’ in magical Game 6 for Ginebra

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Miracles do happen: Tenorio ‘felt like a rookie again’ in magical Game 6 for Ginebra

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 06, 2025 09:26 PM PHT

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