theFor the second straight conference, Magnolia Hotshots have gotten the best of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
After ending the Gin Kings’ two-year reign in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup, the Hotshots followed it up by cutting short the Barangay’s campaign in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
Wednesday night, Magnolia – the sixth-seeded team – dealt the third-seeded Ginebra a 96-86 defeat in the deciding game of their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The win then completed the Hotshots’ comeback in the series. After losing in the opener, Magnolia took the last two games convincingly, winning by an average margin of a 19.5 points.
For LA Tenorio, he believes that the Hotshots have finally figured out how to beat the crowd favorites.
“I think na-figure out na nila kung ano yung formula how to beat us,” said the veteran point guard. “Before, ‘di nila ma-figure out kung paano kami talunin. Ngayon it’s the other way around.”
“We just have to be more aware or to be more prepared sa mga ginagawa nila sa amin. We just have to be better next time around. Now we know kung ano yung mga ginagawa nila sa amin,” the two-time FInals MVP added.
“Now it’s our turn to figure out how we beat them.”
Following their stinging defeat, Tenorio now doubts the Gin Kings’ ability to defend their throne in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, which will raise its curtains in mid-May.
For the 34-year-old, Ginebra’s repeat aspirations will not become reality if they cannot beat top teams.
“We cannot defend that championship if we don’t beat teams like Magnolia and San Miguel, even Phoenix and Rain or Shine – mga top teams,” warned Tenorio, a four-time PBA champion.
“So before thinking of defending that championship, I think we have to learn and look back kung ano talagang mga lapses namin this conference. Not only these playoffs, but this conference.”
