LA Tenorio was all praises for the the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s other players, following their remarkable contributions in the Gin Kings’ skid-ending 100-96 victory over reigning Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen, Sunday night.
Tenorio had 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists in the win, but it was the trio of Jervy Cruz, Raymond Aguilar, and Kevin Ferrer who gave the support, as the three forwards combined for 44 points of the Barangay’s total output.
“Nakita ko dito yung pag step-up ng bench — Raymond, Jervy, sina Kev, ‘di ba?
“Kasi kailangan talaga namin sila pagdating ng playoffs, or pagdating ng crucial times ng games, ng conference or ng season,” shared the 12-year pro.
“I have to give credit sa kanila kasi they’ve been working hard in practice,” he added. “Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy. Yun lang ang gusto ko, na makita magbloom yung second unit players namin kasi we need them more talaga every game.”
But more than the commendable outings of his fellow Gin Kings, Tenorio believes that the win of theirs, which ended their three-game skid, was brought on by the way they executed on the defensive side of the floor.
“Yung mentality namin coming into this game is really to find ways how to step up our defense. To defend talaga as much as we can,” shared the 33-year-old as Ginebra limited San Miguel to their conference-worst five triples.
True enough, defense was the major key that made the victory possible — defense was their main ingredient in turning a deep 16-point hole, late in the second frame, to a 14-point, 80-66 lead early in the final quarter.
Defense was also their main weapon when the Beermen came down knocking once more in the final two minutes, forcing Arwind Santos to miss two potential game-tying three-pointers in the last 20 seconds.
“Medyo binagalan namin yung game kasi to help our defense kasi we cannot catch up with them when it comes to run and gun kasi sanay sila doon eh,” said the three-time champion. “Nilaro lang namin. We stayed in the game, inunti-unti.
“So good thing we ended up winning the game.”
