Photo Courtesy: PBA
LA Tenorio with Ginebra coaching staff.
Tenorio inspires Ginebra as TNT misses Castro in the PBA Finals
Barangay Ginebra secured a 73-66 victory over TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scottie Thompson was named Best Player of the Game after delivering an all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. His relentless hustle on both ends of the floor—something that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheets—was key to Ginebra’s success.
Justin Brownlee was also impressive. Despite dealing with a dislocated thumb and scoring only two points in the first half, the Gin Kings' import still managed to finish with 18 markers, 14 boards, five dimes, and one deflection.
Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 points apiece to support Thompson and Brownlee, while Stephen Holt played a tremendous defensive role against Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Although Hollis-Jefferson managed to score 19 points, he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 7-of-26 from the field.
“I felt we weren’t executing as well as we could. That’s one thing LA is really, really smart with—his execution. He knows how to get the team in their spots,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone regarding Tenorio’s rare playing minutes.
However, what truly set Ginebra apart last night was the presence of veteran LA Tenorio, who played only six minutes but made a significant impact.
Inserted late in the third quarter, Tenorio’s appearance electrified the more than 12,000 fans in attendance.
The pride of Nasugbu, Batangas, attempted just one shot, which he missed, but grabbed one rebound and dished out one assist—enough to inspire his team to rally back from a 10-point halftime deficit.
Alongside Tenorio, Ginebra closed the third quarter with a one-point lead heading into the pivotal final period.
“I felt we weren’t executing as well as we could. That’s one thing LA is really, really smart with—his execution. He knows how to get the team in their spots,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone regarding Tenorio’s rare playing minutes.
“I just turned to him and asked, ‘Are you ready to go?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ I also felt Scottie needed a break. LA is always ready. He works so hard in practice every day, even though he may not always play,” Cone added.
At the start of the fourth quarter, “The GINeral” remained on the floor to help steady the Gin Kings' offense before being subbed out for Thompson, who took over in the final minutes alongside Brownlee.
“Hard to say, but that’s the reality, ‘di ba? Ito na ang given role sa team namin. As I always tell the coaching staff, especially coach Tim, I’m always ready,” an emotional Tenorio said after the game.
TNT Struggles Without Castro
On the other side, Rey Nambatac was the only local TNT player to score in double digits, finishing with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
There was even a tense moment on the TNT bench during a timeout when Coach Chot Reyes was seen confronting big man Poy Erram.
Reyes later addressed the incident, saying, “I just got fed up with all the antics. I let him have a piece of my mind. I told him that if I can’t talk some sense into him, why doesn’t he be the one to coach?”
In situations like these, TNT clearly missed the calming presence of Jayson Castro—the veteran leader who could have helped manage both on-court and off-court struggles.
The pride of Bacolor, Pampanga, was the key figure behind TNT’s championship run in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, where he was named Finals MVP against the same Ginebra squad they are facing now.
Both teams have retained their core players, including their imports, yet TNT has struggled to fill the void left by Castro, who suffered a season-ending injury during their semi-finals clash against Rain or Shine.
While TNT still has veteran players on the bench, the two-time Best Point Guard in Asia remains irreplaceable. Though he is out of the series, instead of dwelling on his absence, the Tropang Giga should draw inspiration from him—just as Ginebra did with Tenorio.
With Game 6 set to take place at the same venue, Ginebra has a chance to close out the series and finally claim a championship in their finals trilogy against TNT.
Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga will fight to extend the series and bring out the two best words in sports—Game Seven!
The Scores:
GINEBRA 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J. Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.
News
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is pushing a landmark plan to open government-run golf courses to children aged 15 and below—completely free of charge.
Initiated by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, the proposal would give youth access to select courses, including Camp John Hay in Baguio and Intramuros Golf Club in Manila, starting at noon daily, seven days a week.
The plan, now with the Office of the President, awaits approval as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. consults with golf industry stakeholders.
While some military-run courses may resist concerns about income and congestion, Gregorio believes the long-term benefits for grassroots golf outweigh the drawbacks. “If we want golf to grow, we have to let more Filipino kids touch a golf club—not just the ones who can afford it,” he said.
With golf’s high costs limiting access, the PSC hopes the initiative will spark broader participation, open doors to scholarships, and develop future champions from all backgrounds.
The Philippine women’s softball team—the Blu Girls—are eyeing nothing less than gold as they prepare to defend their title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.
After softball’s two-edition absence from the SEA Games, head coach Ana Santiago said the team’s hunger for victory remains undiminished. “Nothing less than gold ang goal natin,” Santiago declared, recalling the Blu Girls’ last gold win at home in 2019.
A dominant force since 1979, the Blu Girls have collected 11 SEA Games golds and are returning as favorites. Team captain Charlotte Sales and power hitter Roma Cruz, both SEA Games debutantes, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, especially after a productive training camp in Taiwan.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung training camp namin. Nakatulong sa teamwork, communication, and ‘yung samahan,” Sales shared.
Cruz, who smashed five homers at the Asian Cup in China last July, is determined to prove herself on the SEA Games stage. “Gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko makipagsabayan,” she said.
While the Blu Girls topped Indonesia for gold in 2019, Santiago sees Singapore as this year’s biggest threat, citing their extensive preparations in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan.
The Philippines opens against Singapore on December 15, then faces Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia before the gold medal game on December 20.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president John Henry Lhuillier’s marching order is clear: go for double gold in both women’s and men’s softball. “That’s the goal,” Santiago affirmed.
Cambodia has withdrawn from eight sports in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand due to security concerns amid ongoing border tensions, an Olympic official confirmed last November 27.
The decision comes after intermittent military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand throughout the year, including a deadly July outbreak that left over 40 people dead.
Despite a US-brokered truce, diplomatic strains remain.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) informed the Southeast Asian Games Federation that it would skip events such as football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate, citing “significant security concerns” for its athletes and officials.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun emphasized that the move was strictly about safety, reducing the delegation from 333 to 150 athletes competing in 13 sports.
The pullout is aimed at making monitoring easier amid heightened tensions over overlapping claims to ancient temples along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Philippines will field its largest-ever delegation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, sending 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials to compete in 50 sports at the biennial meet during the 33rd 2025 send-off at Rizal Memorial Coliseum held last November 28.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the decision to send a record-sized team was rooted in prioritizing exposure and athlete development over immediate results
“When you send a delegation, they learn. When you send a big delegation, they gain confidence and experience,” Gregorio said. “We want our athletes’ mindset and skills to toughen up so they can compete at the Asian Games and the Olympics.”
The 2025 SEA Games will feature 574 medal events, three demonstration sports—air sports, flying disc, and tug of war—and MMA as a value-added sport.
Gregorio emphasized that investing in athletes’ experience now lays the groundwork for future success. “We’re giving our athletes the exposure they need to compete better in the future,” he said.
The Philippines will target podium finishes in medal-rich sports including basketball, esports, boxing, weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and athletics when the SEA Games open on December 9.
In a heartfelt send-off, the senate committee on sports, Senator Bong Go, reminded the country’s national athletes of the immense pride and hope they bring as they head into international competitions.
“Always remember, you carry not just your name, but the spirit of every Filipino,” Go said. “When you win, the whole nation wins with you. No matter the result, you already carry the pride and admiration of the Filipino people.”
Reassuring the athletes of his unwavering support, the official added, “My office is always open for you. If you need anything—whether a solution or a problem—just come to my office.”
As the delegation prepared to embark on their journey, he encouraged them to fight with determination and honor the country. “Fight with all your heart. Bring home the bacon. The honor you bring to the country—you will carry it for the rest of your life. It is engraved in the history of the Philippines.”
He closed by urging the team to give their best, stay united, and make every Filipino proud: “Show the world how strong and united Filipinos can be.”
