Win or lose, what matters for Barangay Ginebra playmaker, LA Tenorio, is to see his team on the right track.
Overcoming early struggles and scrutiny alike, the Kings have made the playoffs of the PBA Governors’ Cup, catching the last bus to the quarterfinals after a spirited 110-107 win over the NLEX Road Warriors Wednesday night.
In less than 48 hours, the Kings will take the floor anew against the top-seeded Alaska Aces, and the players received a major confidence boost in the heart-stopping win.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung panalo na yun, going to the playoffs. Given another opportunity, sana madala namin to, ‘yung mga ganitong klaseng game, ganito ang kailangan namin to be confident,” Tenorio quipped of the character Ginebra showed facing adversity.
“From the start of the conference, ganito naman talaga dapat. Pero, andito na kami, so we have to be consistent with what we are doing, especially in defense and execution.”
Tenorio scored 21 points, and added 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the victory. Also, he credited Coach Frankie Lim for putting together a competitive squad in little time.
“Maraming pagbabago sa game namin, sa team namin. Hindi talaga madali ang trabaho niya at maraming kailangang gawin in the short span of time,” Tenorio shared.
“[Unti-unti] he is getting anong potential ng bawat player. On the right track kami.”
Looking at the foreseeable future, Tenorio senses an even better Ginebra squad, given its cohesion and depth after everyone becomes healthy.
“Knowing maging kumpleto kami, we will be confident, maraming firepower. The thing is how to manage the players. Maganda na maging kumpleto para maging solid kami,” he said.
Win or lose, the 2015 season is not the end, but a start of a journey that will hopefully be sustained long-term and result into bigger successes for the most popular ball club in the archipelago.
