LA Tenorio embraces 'different role' in rare Game 5 appearance for Ginebra

LA Tenorio has long accepted the fact that he's no longer the guy that gets the most minutes for Barangay Ginebra. Regardless, the decorated point guard believes he's always ready whenever coach Tim Cone calls his number.

That's exactly what transpired during the pivotal Game 5 between the Gin Kings and TNT, where the 40-year-old backcourt general was fielded at the time when his team was in need of a stabilizer on the court.

"Well, it’s a different role for me right now. It’s hard to say but it’s the reality. Ito na ‘yung role ko sa team. As I’ve always told sa coaching staff, especially coach Tim, I’m always ready," Tenorio said after logging in exactly six minutes.

"Siguro with the experience that I have, I always have to be ready and ayun nga, kanina he asked me if I can go, of course I want to go. Luckily, medyo maganda naman ‘yung nangyari. ‘Yun naman lang ang importante that’s why I think Coach Tim put me in, because of the execution."

[Well, it's a different role for me right now. It's hard to say but it's the reality. This is my role on the team. As I’ve always told sa coaching staff, especially coach Tim, I’m always ready... I guess with the experience I have, I always have to be ready and earlier he asked me if I can go, of course I want to go. Luckily, things turned out well. That's what's important, that's why I think Coach Tim put me in, because of the execution.]

Tenorio was pulled from the bench with 1:49 remaining in the third period, subbing in for the fatigued Scottie Thompson. The multi-titled Tenorio delivered and eventually helped Ginebra gut out a 73-66 victory to zoom in on the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup title.

As the veteran in the team, though, Tenorio knows best that closing out a series is the most difficult part of the job.

"Close-out games are really the hardest part of a series, especially against a team like TNT," he added.

"Depensahan eh, but we’ve been in this situation before. So alam namin ‘yung feeling so alam na namin ‘yung gagawin namin sa Game 6."

[Close-out games are really the hardest part of a series, especially against a team like TNT... It's a defensive game, but we've been in this situation before. So we know the feeling and we know what we have to do in Game 6.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News