John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752076191175PBA Images11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>San Miguel&#x27;s Chris Ross in action. PBA Images</div>MANILA, Philippines – Chris Ross revealed Wednesday his inspiration that led to his stellar Game 7 showing, towing San Miguel to a PBA Finals return.It was none other than a fellow veteran point guard in LA Tenorio, who put Ginebra on his back in Game 6, forcing a decider in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Semifinals.When the Beermen needed points in crunch time, Ross delivered, registering a total of 19 points, seven assists, and four steals when the dust settled in their 100-93 win over Ginebra.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/9/pba-san-miguel-ousts-ginebra-earns-chance-to-halt-tnt-s-grand-slam-bid-2152">READ: PBA: San Miguel ousts Ginebra, earns chance to halt TNT&#x27;s Grand Slam bid </a></div>Ross, looking back, said Tenorio and his journey motivated him in Game 7.Tenorio&#x27;s wild ride was no secret—he survived colon cancer, and is now the head coach of Gilas Youth while embracing responsibilities as a veteran in the Gin Kings&#x27; nest.&quot;Seeing LA doing what he did, it was super inspiring to me,&quot; Ross said during the postgame press conference.Tenorio delivered a game-winner in the dying moments of Game 6, to the delight not just of the Ginebra fans, but also of Ross.The SMB stalwart bared that he had a chat with Tenorio just before the game.And when Tenorio was being interviewed just outside the court following the conclusion of Game 7, Ross came to the Gin King and shared a light moment with him.&quot;I had a chat with LA before the game, told him I had thoughts about him, just his journey and everything that led to him, doing what he did, it really inspired me,&quot; said Ross of his fellow seasoned point guard.Besides this, Ross admitted another mindset that led him to his performance today—being benched out in their previous outing.<div><a class="fr-green" 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: PBA: Tenorio flashes vintage form as Ginebra forces Game 7 vs. San Miguel</a></div>&quot;I&#x27;m a competitor. Not playing in the last game, it hurt my feelings.&quot;Ross, who brought his child to the post-match interview, said that his &quot;little guy&quot; is also his inspiration.&quot;I told him [coach Leo Austria] that I&#x27;m a winner. I just wanna win by any means. I don&#x27;t care how it gets done. I told him, &#x27;No one competes harder than me. It comes from this little guy right here,&#x27;&quot; said the 40-year-old playmaker.Ross and the Beermen hope to bring their A-game against TNT in Game 1 of the Finals on Sunday, July 13.

"Seeing LA doing what he did, it was super inspiring to me," Chris Ross said regarding LA Tenorio. #PBA #PBASemifinals

"Seeing LA doing what he did, it was super inspiring to me," Chris Ross said regarding LA Tenorio. #PBA #PBASemifinals

PBA: LA Tenorio's heroics fueled SMB's Chris Ross in do-or-die Game 7

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PBA: LA Tenorio's heroics fueled SMB's Chris Ross in do-or-die Game 7

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 10, 2025 12:54 AM PHT

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PBA Philippine Cup

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San Miguel Beermen

Chris Ross

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