For LA Tenorio, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are already looking at their last three games of the 2017-18 Philippine Cup eliminations as high-pressure games.
The 5-foot-9 floor general said so after the Gin Kings lambasted the Kia Picanto, 103-77, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena to return to the win column, after they had absorbed a bitter 78-81 defeat to the NLEX Road Warriors last Saturday.
“Coming into this game, this is our playoff game already.
“This is the start of the playoffs so this is the game one of our playoffs. On Sunday, that will be our game two, that’s our mindset already,” Tenorio shared.
“When you’re in the playoffs, you can’t afford to make mistakes or let go of one possession. So it’s really important for us to be in the playoff mentality. The good thing about the game today is the whole team responded,” the 12-year pro added.
Like he said — the Barangay definitely cannot afford to make one wrong move, as it would spell doom for their playoff aspirations. Now carrying an even 4-4 card, Ginebra’s modest hope is to make it into the top six.
After Wednesday night’s results, the Gin Kings now sit at seventh. But Tenorio made it clear that Ginebra are not about to push the panic button — yet.
“Not really in desperation mode. Hindi naman porke matalo kami ng isa sa last 3 games namin, we’re out of the contention already. I mean, we lose, we go to the next game. Ganoon naman ang playoffs eh,” said the 33-year-old.
“When you win, you go to the next game, when you lose, you go to the next game. That’s it. Saka na namin iisipin kapag na out na lang kami. Doon kami mag-iisip kung ano yung mga kailangan naming i-improve pa next conference.”
However, that doesn’t mean that Ginebra’s sights are locked onto the playoffs alone. Tenorio said that they are still taking it one game at a time, and for now, they are focused on the task at hand — their match against the TNT Katropa this Sunday.
“So far, right now, we’re focusing on Sunday’s game. That will be our second playoff game. We’ll see if everyone will respond again with the game on Sunday, especially Talk N Text,” shared the three-time champion.
“I’m sure Talk N Text will be on the same mode coming into Sunday’s game. In the playoffs, nothing comes easy so we’ll really find ways how to win on Sunday. One-point win lang ang kailangan namin every game from here on.”
