MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone's gamble of playing veterans LA Tenorio and Joe Devance in Game 3 happened by design in an effort to extend the team's thin rotation in the ongoing PBA Governors' Cup Finals series versus TNT.Down 0-2 entering Game 3 on All Saint's Day, Tenorio started for the Gin Kings, and delivered a vintage performance during his 16-minute effort that saw him finish with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and four steals.The 6-foot-7 Devance, on the other hand, contributed two points, a rebound and two assists, while spelling veteran big man Japeth Aguilar at front court.The left-handed Devance, who did not play in the first two games of the title series, took painkillers according to Cone to alleviate the knee pain since hurting it during their San Miguel Beer semifinal series.'If LA can play 12, 15 or 18 minutes, that could extend our rotation a little bit and get longer rotation and give rest to some of the guys,' Cone said, in explaining the rationale behind inserting the 40-year-old Tenorio on Friday after two DNPs (did to play) in Games 1 and 2. 'He made some key baskets, a couple of steals, and he played the kind of game we wanted to play. And that's crucial,' he added.Scottie Thompson said Tenorio's contributions to the team go beyond the playing court, while describing the eight-time PBA champion as a 'winner.''I'm confident playing with Kuya LA because for how many years, we already know each other,' said Thompson, who contributed 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. 'He's still there to guide me even if he's not inside the court. He's still coaching me.''And I know when we play together inside the court, kuya LA is a winner, he knows how to win, and he sets the tone coming to this game (3),' he added.As for Devance, Cone said knowing the 6-foot-7 Ginebra forward is still not 100 percent healthy, playing him for two to three minutes is enough to try to give Aguilar the needed breather in the highly-defensive championship series.'He's (Devance) obviously played very, very limited minutes, and very limited stretches of maybe three (minutes) at most, then he needs to be rested,' shared Cone. 'He's taking pain killers to handle his knee and he's doing everything possible he can to play and be ready. His teammates see that, they recognize that he's sending a huge message to the team.'Game 4 is scheduled on Sunday with Ginebra eyeing to reduce the title series to a best-of-three affair with another victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. TNT leads the series, 2-1.
