WATCH: LA Tenorio Highlights [2021 Philippine Cup | Brgy. Ginebra vs Rain or Shine | Sept. 8, 2021]

Brgy. Ginebra registered its first victory in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup restart after the Gin Kings defeated hard-fighting Rain or Shine, 83-77, Wednesday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga

Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, and LA Tenorio joined hands in repulsing the Elasto Painters’ spirited fightback in the payoff period while Scottie Thompson provided the dagger triple which sealed the deal for the defending champions.

The Gin Kings improved to an even 3-3 record while the Chris Gavina-mentored squad dropped to 4-4.

“We let our defense do the talking. We played a real good defensive team in Rain or Shine. Statistically, they’re the toughest defensive team in the league. So, for us to go out, we have to play a real good defense. And I think we won the hustle charts,” said head coach Tim Cone during the post-game presser.

Cone was all praises for Thompson who once again lit up the stat sheets with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block to go along with 14 points highlighted by a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.

“Nakuha namin ‘yong game namin,” explained Thompson. “Yung three-point shooting ko siguro tumama lang. Open shots naman, and credit to my teammates they moved the ball around at nakita yung open man.”

Standhardinger paced the Gin Kings with 16 points while Aguilar and Tenorio added 15 apiece. Prince Caperal and Stanley Pringle chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.