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PANABO CITY — It seems that every time Barangay Ginebra needed someone to make the big shot, LA Tenorio has been that player to answer the call.
Less than three weeks after rescuing the Kings against rival Star, the heady playmaker was at it again, this time drilling a game-winning 15-footer to beat Phoenix on Saturday in Panabo City.
READ: Ginebra beats Star in another thriller
Tenorio, who also hit a buzzer-beating triple in overtime to stun the Hotshots in a playoff game three months ago, has emerged as Ginebra’s go-to guy down the stretch. He, however, doesn’t want to look at it that way.
“It just so happened that the opportunity was there,” said Tenorio, who finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
READ: Tenorio hits triple at the buzzer as Ginebra beats Star
What caught Tenorio’s attention more was the team’s fortitude to hang on and find ways to eke out the gutsy victory.
“Overall, our team’s character showed in the end. We were down in the first half, but we didn’t let go of the game,” he said as Ginebra battled back from 19-points down.
Though, Ginebra has proved it can come back from big leads, the 31-year-old guard said the Kings must not rely on their resiliency every game.
“We can’t afford to do that again. Next game, we can’t play that way,” said Tenorio, knowing the tough schedule that awaits Ginebra with TNT, San Miguel, and Meralco as its last three games in the elimination round.
“We need to improve our defense based from our game earlier. We won’t win in the playoffs if we defend that way. We really have to step up our defense especially the starters. We really have to start strong,” he said.
At 5-3, the Gin Kings are in prime position to take one of the top four spots in the quarterfinals. But Tenorio isn’t ready to get too ahead of himself, more so of Ginebra.
“We take it one game at a time,” said Tenorio. “If we sweep our last three games, so be it, but if not, we’ll see what happens.”