MANILA, Philippines-LA Tenorio won his opening game as Magnolia coach after frustrating Barangay Ginebra, 80-73, in a low-scoring start to the PBA’s 50th season before a big crowd on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Zavier Lucero anchored the Hotshots’ big night with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, giving Tenorio an auspicious start to his new role calling the shots on the other side of the rivalry dubbed the ‘Manila Clasico.’ Jerom Lastimosa had 14 points and five assists while Javi Gomez scored 14 points in his first game for Magnolia.
Magnolia went up by 15 in the fourth, 63-48, even as it was able to foil Ginebra’s comeback bid in the final minutes. Stephen Holt posted 16 points, four rebounds and three assists but the Gin Kings dropped their opening assignment at the hands of their former backcourt general. Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos scored 11 with four assists while neophyte Sonny Estil tallied nine points and seven rebounds for Ginebra in the defeat.
Scottie Thompson uncharacteristically went scoreless in 31 minutes, missing all five attempts, while hauling down just five boards for Ginebra.
The game was highly-anticipated coming into the opener, given that Tenorio was facing his old team to begin the difficult task of trying to turn the fortunes of the Magnolia franchise.
Magnolia raced to a 10-0 lead, 13-2 and 19-5, though Ginebra was able to close in, trailing 26-24 in the second. But the Hotshots never relinquish their hold on the advantage the rest of the way.