PBA: Without Caguioa, Tenorio drops 27 to lead Ginebra past Barako

(Updated 6:31pm) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rolled past the Barako Bull Energy Cola on Sunday, 96-89, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup elimination round game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ginebra won despite missing the services of reigning MVP Mark Caguioa, who was diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain after playing the Meralco Bolts. "Without Mark it's a different ball game," said Ginebra head coach Alfrancis Chua. "But I told the guys kailangang mag-step up ang lahat. Kailangang lahat sila, magcontribute. Kaya medyo malalim yung hinugot ko sa bench ngayon." "Day-to-day siya [Caguioa]. It's not swollen at all, depende siya sa therapy niya. Tinamaan siya pero hindi namamaga." Ginebra has now won four straight games, including five of their last six, to improve to 5-5, alongside the Air21 Express and the San Mig Coffee Mixers at fifth place. On the other hand, Barako Bull now sports a 3-7 record for ninth place after losing six straight games.

Im so proud of our team everyone played well specially L.A aka chris paul and he's partner VERNON aka Blake Griffin #WINNING(charliesheen) — Mark Caguioa (@officialMC47) March 24, 2013

@vernon_macklin Thanx BigDawg #BOARDSSSSSS — Mark Caguioa (@officialMC47) March 24, 2013

LA Tenorio was named player of the game after racking up 27 points, seven assists, and four assists, his highest point output since joining Ginebra. Vernon Macklin had a game-high 33 points and 22 rebounds (12 offensive), despite a 9-of-23 performance from the free throw line (39.1 percent). Kerby Raymundo added 10 points, all of which came in the second quarter. "It's a big relief para umabot kami ng .500," said Chua. "I give this win to Vernon, he showed na hindi siya 'push-around' na import and he really carried us in this game." Ginebra focused on getting to the rim early in the first quarter, as Macklin and Chris Ellis combined for nine of their first 12 points. Save for a Josh Urbiztondo triple, Barako Bull had trouble finding their range. Barako Bull seemed a step slow on rotations and on picking up their men in transition, allowing multiple drives to the basket, 22-8. However, Ginebra let Barako Bull back in with under four minutes to play. They gave up fouls to Sean Anthony and Allein Maliksi on jump shots, and allowed triples by Mick Pennisi and Maliksi. Barako Bull finished with a strong 11-3 run, halving their deficit to 25-19 after the first period. Ginebra made 11-of-18 from the field in the first quarter (61.1 percent). In comparison, Barako Bull made only 6-of-19 field goals (31.6 percent). In the second quarter, Ginebra couldn't finish in transition nor outmaneuver the pressure defense from Barako Bull. Meanwhile, BBE continued to stroke the ball, as Jonas Villanueva and Maliksi connected from deep to help their team knot the game at 31-all. Right on cue, Tenorio stepped-up and nailed a trey for Ginebra with six and a half minutes remaining, scoring or assisting on 11 of their next 13 points. Ginebra regained some separation as Evan Brock put up seven of Barako Bull's next nine, 46-40. However, Mark Macapagal had the last word, as he nailed a triple from the right wing to cut the deficit, 46-43, at halftime. Ginebra had a 13-4 margin in fast break points but could have had a bigger lead. They made only 5-of-19 attempts from the line (26.3 percent) after two quarters. Barako Bull did only slightly better with a 7-of-17 mark (41.2 percent). Every time Barako Bull made a shot in the third quarter, Tenorio and Macklin were there to respond. But Ginebra broke the tit-for-tat as Tenorio made a trey, 60-53. Then a few possessions later Baracael added a triple of his own off a missed charity by Macklin to cap a 7-0 run, 64-55. Maliksi drained a three-pointer with under four minutes to play to ease the bleeding for Barako Bull. Macklin continued to punish Barako Bull in the post, who faced an uphill battle as Brock picked up his fifth personal foul with 1:56 remaining. Danny Seigle scored five of Barako Bull's last seven, while Ginebra enjoyed a 75-67 lead after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Maliksi keyed a 7-4 run to get Barako Bull within three. But defensive breakdowns allowed a triple from Ellis, a put-back by Macklin and a Tenorio and-one to cap an 8-3 counterattack, 87-79. Barako Bull couldn't find the traction for a final push, as they couldn't connect from the field. Worse, they were killed on the defensive glass, as Ginebra made up for their misses with second servings. After Seigle nailed a triple, 92-85, Macklin served a thunderous put-back slam on the other end, 94-85, with a minute and a half to play. Thanks to Macklin's free throw woes, Ginebra had the dubious distinction of shooting better from the field (36-of-77, or 46.8 percent) than from the free throw line (17-of-44, or 38.6 percent). On the other hand, Barako Bull made 29-of-64 field goals (45.3 percent) and 21-of-36 from the line (58.3 percent). Ginebra also led in rebounding 57-41, including a 26-12 on offensive boards that led to a 23-7 margin on second-chance points. Allein Maliksi led Barako Bull with 22 points and three steals on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Evan Brock added 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and five steals. Danny Seigle had 12 points by making all four of his field goals.  - AMD, GMA News The scores: Ginebra 96 - Macklin 33, Tenorio 27, Raymundo 10, Baracael 9, Ellis 7, Hatfield 7, Mamaril 2, Labagala 1, Espiritu 0, Helterbrand 0 Barako Bull 89 - Maliksi 22, Brock 20, Seigle 12, Urbiztondo 8, Villanueva 7, Macapagal 6, Anthony 5, Pennisi 5, Kramer 2, Allado 2, Duncil 0, Intal 0 Quarter-scoring: 25-19, 46-43, 75-67, 96-89