ANTIPOLO – That narrow loss to Meralco in Montalban last Sunday, on the surface, was Magnolia’s first in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
But a deeper look may suggest that it could be a turning point of sorts between two generations of guards — one who’s slowly embracing a role different from what he’s long been used to, and the other trying to prove that he’s got next.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Don’t worry about it, parehas tayong magma-mature dito in the future,’” said Paul Lee nearly a week after their 78-76 defeat.
The one-time BPC was among those whom fans and pundits alike talked about online when the Hotshots’ usual closer did not touch the ball for the last shot against the Bolts. Instead, Jerom Lastimosa took matters into his own hands.
At that time, a trey would win the match between two of the conference’s favorites. The sophomore gunner pulled the trigger from the first arc in an attempt to lift his side to victory, but his shot missed its target.
Subsequently, people took to social media and questioned his decision, given that his senior was open for a far better look.
But Lee himself was be the first to come to Lastimosa’s defense, saying that he won’t hold it against Lastimosa should he elect to do so again. It seems he’s giving way to others in acceptance of his new role.
(C) PBA Images
“Sinabi ko sa kanya sa dugout na darating ‘yung time na ikaw na talaga ‘yan,” he said. “Nagkataon lang talaga na na-open ako nung last possession against Meralco. So sabi ko, magtitiwala ako sa’yo sa gut feeling mo.
“Kung ano, wala kang maririnig sa akin doon, susuportahan kita kung ayun ‘yung naging decision mo, na i-take ‘yung last shot.”
It’s that kind of encouragement from one teammate to another which LA Tenorio wants to see within his Hotshots. After all, he, too, has no problems with Lastimosa — or anybody else — taking the last shot.
“I want them to have that confidence na on those moments, meron ka dapat kumpiyansa na itira ‘yon,” he said.
“Ayoko silang pigilan sa ganon, especially Jerom. He’s the type of player na, I think, he has to learn already.
“Na he will not make those shots next time if he won’t take that, ‘di ba? Kung hindi niya shinoot ‘yun, hindi niya malalaman kung masu-shoot niya ‘yung susunod. He has to experience that,” added the four-time Finals MVP.
After all, the former Gilas Pilipinas guard was playing solidly against Meralco as evidenced by his 22 points. And he was also crucial in bringing them back into the match, which both Lee and Tenorio pointed out.
“It just happened na nag-miss. But hindi nakita ng mga tao na before that, before that, Jerom took us back in the game,” the 41-year-old mentor said.
“In fact, siya talaga ‘yung pinakamagandang laro roon. So I just let him know na at the end of the day, parehas naman kaming gustong manalo,” Lee seconded.
No doubt that the trust in each other in the crew has been big as Lastimosa himself continued his fine play on Saturday. He tallied 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists to help Magnolia beat Terrafirma, 104-93, for a solid bounce-back.
“The more na ayoko ‘yung natatakot na sila. Kesa ma-turnover, kesa ipasa hindi nakatira, ‘di ba?” said Tenorio, whose team has now gained a share of the lead in the standings with TNT following the win at the Ynares Center here.
“Gusto kong makita rin ng mga players, malaman ng mga players namin na we have to trust each other, na if they make that play, that’s his decision. We have to encourage them more,” he added.
“Ganun ang gusto namin sa team namin.”
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Paul Lee talks about the transition he and Magnolia are going through under LA Tenorio 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/eYoS09JWaP
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 25, 2025
