BARANGAY Ginebra breathed life on its sagging title-retention bid with a crucial come-from-behind 94-87 win over Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym Wednesday.
Stanley Pringle and LA Tenorio bounced back strong from woeful showing the last time out and provided big punches as the Kings rallied from 19 points down in the first half and smothered the Fuel Masters to move up to joint seventh with the NLEX Road Warriors at 4-5.
Christian Standhardinger also played a key role in the absence of the injury-hit Japeth Aguilar (MCL strain) as Ginebra snapped Phoenix's two-game roll and sent its victim to ninth place at 4-6.
"It's been a rollercoaster for everybody but we decided to stay positive and stay together as a team," said Pringle, leading the Kings with 31 points that went with seven rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Tenorio had a big turnaround from a scoreless outing in their 67-88 blowout by TNT, with the peppery guard exploding for 23 this time highlighted by six three-pointers.
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Versus the Tropang Giga, Tenorio was 0-of-13 from the field.
Pringle, Tenorio and Standhardinger themselves starred in a 21-6 windup propelling the team to their first win in their last three games.
The Fuel Masters, led by Jason Perkins with 30 points and Matthew Wright with 18, took control most of the way and were in command at 81-73 before Tenorio and Pringle buried back-to-back treys to spark a run that shoved Ginebra ahead at 83-81.
Tenorio's last conversion from deep sealed the deal for the Kings at 92-87.
Standhardinger was a third King who scored in the 20s, making 21 on 9-of-19 field goals and added 12 rebounds for another double-double effort.
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Scottie Thompson had his own double-double game with 12 markers and 11 boards.(SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 94 - Pringle 31, Tenerio 23, Standjardinger 21, Thompson 12, Mariano 3, Dillinger 2, Tolentino 2, Salado 0, Caperal 0, Enriquez 0, Aguilar 0, R. Aguilar 0, Devance 0, Holmqvist 0, Ayaay 0.
Phoenix 87 - Perkins 30, Wright 18,Jazul 15, Chua 12, Calisaan 3, Melecio 3, Banchero 2, Pascual 2, Demusis 2, Faundo 0, Muyang 0, Garcia 0, Manuel 0, Tamsi 0, Rios.
Quarters:16-33, 46-52, 69-76,94-87
