TENORIO: WE’RE GETTING THERE
After watching Kia pull the rug from under Talk ‘N Text, the Barangay Ginebra Kings couldn’t avoid being fidgety. They have every reason to. Upsets could be the order of the evening, and they were to face struggling newcomer Blackwater.
But just two hours later, Ginebra survived a tough Elite squad, 89-82,nailing its fourth win in seven outings.
Ginebra playmaker LA Tenorio said that the Kia win earlier in the night was on top of their minds.
“We were watching the game and naging lesson sa amin at naging motivation yun,” Tenorio said. “Anything can happen dito sa PBA. Medyo flat yung start namin, pero natuto kami sa nangyari sa first game.”
The win enabled Ginebra to go up to 4-3, in a three-way tie for fifth spot with GlobalPort and Purefoods.
Tenorio believes that the Kings are slowly getting the feel of the style of play returning coach Ato Agustin would like the team to run, as he said, “Halfway through the conference, medyo nakukuha na namin. Kailangan lang maging consistent kami every game. Kailangan lang di kami mag-let down through the course of the game. Yun ang nagiging problema namin eh. Lumalamang kami, tapos pinapahabol namin kasi nagrerelax. We have to improve more on playing 48 minutes of basketball.”
And he’s wishing that the All-Star break would not ruin their chances as they brace for a final push going into the playoffs.
“We hope not na sana, instead na makasira sa momentum namin, makadagdag sya sa energy namin,” said Tenorio, who had 17 points, two rebounds and two assists in the win. “Although maraming kasali sa amin sa All-Star, dapat lang di kami mawala sa rhythm namin kasi pagbalik namin, may laro agad.” (RL)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
