Brgy. Ginebra def Meralco, 90-71 [SF Game 4 | PBA S48 PH Cup | May 24, 2024]

With a significant shakeup in their starting lineup, the Barangay Ginebra Kings broke free from a slump and leveled the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven series against the Meralco Bolts at two games apiece.

LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle were dubbed as the “magic duo” for coach Tim Cone, bringing their veteran leadership, basketball IQ, and playmaking skills to lead Ginebra to a convincing 90-71 victory, much to the delight of the passionate Ginebra supporters at the MOA Arena on Friday night.

Teaming up with Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Christian Standhardinger in the starting lineup, Tenorio and Pringle ignited a sense of urgency and determination that propelled the team to a commanding 19-point win.

As the Kings and the Bolts gear up for a pivotal Game 5 clash on Sunday, Cone commended Tenorio and Pringle for stepping up when it mattered most, allowing key players like Standhardinger, Aguilar, and Thompson to get some rest in the final quarter.

Although Tenorio and Pringle didn’t fill up the stat sheet, their impact was undeniable as they thwarted Meralco’s attempt to gain a 3-1 series advantage.

The duo set the tone for Ginebra with a blistering 31-15 opening quarter run, establishing a lead that swelled to 20 points by halftime and peaked at 25 in the second half of the dominating performance.

Tenorio showcased his all-around game with seven points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals in less than 23 minutes of play, while Pringle contributed 14 points, including two three-pointers, and three rebounds.

Standhardinger came close to a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, Aguilar delivered a conference-high 21 points, and Thompson added a double-digit scoring output with 15 points.

Despite the impressive win, Cone stressed the importance of staying grounded, emphasizing that it’s only one victory and that they must prepare for Meralco’s inevitable pushback in the upcoming game.