After game 5 meltdown, Tenorio vows comeback

MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio was the toast of the Brgy. Ginebra fans last season. He was their Most Valuable Player. But one bad game ruined everything. 

Last Saturday night, Tenorio drew flak for uncharacteristically imploding especially in the crucial stretch of Game Five of their semifinal series that could have given the Kings a 3-2 series advantage.

He bungled the Kings’ last two plays allowing San Mig Coffee Mixers to come from behind and won, 79-76.

With 13.4 seconds left and the Kings looking for a basket to tie the game or a triple to win it, Tenorio hurriedly attacked the basket and put up a wild shot that kissed the side of the board.

The Kings immediately sent San Mig Coffee rookie Justin Melton to the 15-foot line and got another lease of life when he split the free throws.

Tenorio had the ball with seven seconds left and Brgy. Ginebra was down by three. But instead of taking a pull-up three-pointer or kicking out a pass to a waiting Japeth Aguilar, who was open in his sweet spot, the Gilas playmaker went for a drive that missed at the buzzer.

While the San Mig Coffee fans cheered on their team for the big come-from-behind win, the Brgy. Ginebra fans whispered the question “Why LA?”

Even the whole team was left bewildered.

Brgy. Ginebra coach Ato Agustin naturally asked his prized point guard after the game.

“Tinanong ko lang bakit yung last shot eh nilay-up eh down by three.  Hindi ko na in-ano. Baka ma-down.  Kailangan eh i-lift namin ang morale ng mga players,” Agustin told reporters.

The play off their last timeout in the final 13 seconds should be a pick-and-roll according to Agustin.

“Nag-draw ako ng pick-and-roll (play) but it shouldn’t be a hurried shot. Kailangan nasa proper spots. Parang nagmadali eh. Imagine, nakakuha pa ng foul shot [ang San Mig],” rued Agustin.

Tenorio finished with nine points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field and handed out seven assists but committed six turnovers for the second straight game of the series.

He was the last player to leave the Kings’ locker room. With icy eyes, the usually accommodating point guard shunned the media.

“Pa-pass muna ako sa interview.  Mga pare ngayon lang ako pa-pass sa interview. Okay lang ba,” Tenorio asked the reporters, who readily obliged.

The Brgy. Ginebra point guard will not grant an interview until he redeems himself tweeted The Star columnist Quinito Henson on Sunday.

LA Tenorio appeals to media-no interviews until "makabawi ako"-that means after Game 6-Ginebra fans can't wait-San Mig has 2x to beat edge

— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) February 9, 2014

But despite the heartbreaking loss, all is not lost for the Kings. They aren’t called the never-say-die team for nothing.

“We need to stay positive. Bawi na lang kami sa Monday,” Agustin said.

And all eyes will be on Tenorio in Game Six as the whole team and their fans anticipate a big comeback from their Gin-eral.