WATCH: Tenorio sinks game winner in Ginebra Christmas Clasico win

MANILA, Philippines -- LA Tenorio wrapped Brgy. Ginebra's Christmas gift to their legion of fans with a buzzer-beating triple in overtime as the Kings ousted their rival Star Hotshots in an epic 92-89 win on Friday night in the latest chapter of the Manila Clasico. 

Tenorio struggled with his shots but came through in the end with the biggest triple that completed the Kings' comeback from 18 points down in a dizzying shootout in the extra time. He wound up with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-10 from the three-point zone, that came with six assists and three steals. 

The game was already slipping away from the Kings when the Hotshots erected an 18-point lead, 72-54, early in the fourth and were still trailing by eight inside the final minute of the regulation when Japeth Aguilar and Sol Mercado hit a three-pointer each then rookie Scottie Thompson tied it with a steal and layup.

The Kings could have won it in the regulation but Mercado missed a breakaway layup at the buzzer.

"Magandang regalo 'to para sa aming mga fans," Tenorio said.

With the Hotshots effectively shutting down the Kings' Twin Towers of Greg Slaughter and Aguilar with a zone defense, Tim Cone relied on his reserves to pull off another epic comeback in the regulation.

Slaughter was limited to just 12 points and six boards while Aguilar managed only nine but had a big triple in the closing seconds of the regulation. 

"It's the most amazing game I've been in.  It's one of those games where the players just made the coach look good," Cone said.

A dizzying shootout opened the extra time with both teams firing three triples each that made it 89-all. 

The Hotshots lost the ball in their final play with 22 seconds left giving the Kings the chance to steal the game and setting the stage for Tenorio's heroics.

Mercado came off the bench to lead the Kings with 17 points, six boards and five assists. 

The win pushed the Kings to a knockout game against the GlobalPort Batang Pier, who earlier leaned on Terren Romeo's 33-point explosion to eliminate Barako Bull Energy in the first game. The winner of the Kings-Batang Pier duel will face top seed Alaska Aces in the semifinals.

It was a sorry loss for the Hotshots, who will go to early vacation in Jason Webb's first conference as head coach.