Anjo Caram made it clear that his mini fracas with LA Tenorio during the Meralco Bolts-Barangay Ginebra San Miguel clash Friday night won’t turn into something personal, that it is all part of the game.
During one sequence late in the third quarter, Caram, while on the ground, tripped Tenorio by clipping the latter’s legs. The former San Beda Red Lion was then seen writhing in pain — still on the ground — favoring his thigh.
Caram was then assessed with a technical foul and a flagrant foul penalty one for his actions.
“Well, basketball is a physical sport. Siyempre ‘di mo namam maiwasan magkabanggaan, siyempre magkatamaan. Wala naman yun, part of the game lang,” said the 5-foot-7 floor general moments after the Bolts’ 93-82 win.
That incident was, in a way, an image of how the Caram-Tenorio match-up went. Caram was the one tasked by head coach Norman Black to defend one of the league’s best point guards, and that was an assignment Caram passed.
Caram shut down the 33-year-old by limiting the latter to just six points, two rebounds, and two assists, while the Davaoeño had himself a night as he produced 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting along with seven assists.
“I was tasked to guard LA. All I thought about was to limit yung touches ni LA kasi he’s a very skilled player. ‘Pag nasa kanya na yung bola, siyempre ang dami na niyang magagawa,’” shared the six-year pro.
“So inisip ko na i-limit yung touches niya.”
However, Caram was quick to downplay his billing as a Tenorio stopper.
“Every game naman siyempre kung sinuman yung binabantayan ko binibigay ko talaga yung 100 percent ko,” furthered Caram. “Siyempre LA yun, gina-grab ko lang yung opportunity.
“Ginagawa ko lang din yung trabaho ko.”
