Things weren’t going LA Tenorio’s way, early in Game One of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals bout versus bitter foes Meralco, Tuesday night.
Officials had already whistled the veteran floor general for two personal fouls, less than two minutes into the match. He picked up another pair later in the game, giving him four entering the final frame.
“Too aggressive, not thinking,” Tenorio said of those fouls. “So I think ‘yun ‘yung nangyari. But I mean, I like that. I want to be aggressive. That’s my mentality going to the game. Na-sobrahan lang.
“I’ve never been [in] foul trouble in my career. Akala ko mafa-foul out ako eh. First time I think [na] nag-four fouls ako. Never yata ako naka-experience ng ganun.”
But the 35-year-old managed to buck foul trouble, and he even came to the aid of the Gin Kings in the payoff period.
With his side down by three points, Tenorio joined hands with Japeth Aguilar for a 10-0 run, that gave the Barangay an 80-73 advantage with less than eight minutes remaining.
And when the Bolts answered back with a run of their own, helping them regain the driver’s seat, 85-84, Tenorio gave the lead back to his side, 86-85, with 1:43 left in the game.
Eventually, Ginebra completed the comeback and won, 91-87, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Tenorio finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field in the victory. For him, he did his best to keep himself in the game, not just for himself alone but for his fellow Gin Kings.
“Kahit naging foul-troubled ako, I need to be more focused the whole game. Doesn’t matter if I play long or not play long enough. I have to be focused not only for myself but for the team,” he said.
“I think the team… Parang, especially inside the court, they really rely on me to call on the plays, you know, sa mga diskarte. Ayun ‘yung role ko rito sa team eh, so I need to be focused on doing that.”
Still, the 13-year pro said that he should be smarter next time to avoid being hampered by fouls.
“It might affect the team in the latter part nitong series na ‘to, so I have to be smarter sa kung ano ‘yung mga dapat kong gawin,” he said.
“I need to be more aware, number one sa foul trouble.”
