LA Tenorio evaluates Ginebra’s stint in the Governors’ Cup

LA Tenorio believes that while Ginebra didn't get the ending it wanted in the PBA Governors' Cup (Ginebra finished the elimination round in 6th place and was eliminated by 3rd ranked Alaska in the quarterfinals), it might have gotten the start it needed under new Coach Jeff Cariaso. Tenorio is convinced that they're a better defensive team now and potentially a more dangerous offensive team in the near-future. Before he goes into full-Gilas mode, we asked Tenorio to provide his personal postscript to Ginebra's season-ending campaign.

MH: How would you evaluate Ginebra’s first tournament under a new coach and first tournament using a new system?

LT: Siguro over-all, in the Governors’ Cup, nag-improve kami drastically defensively. Nag-improve talaga yung team defense namin. Offensively, wala pa dun. Yung system ni Coach Jeff (Cariaso), it takes more than just 5 weeks para matutunan. But the most positive side that happened to the team is yung team defense namin.

MH: Even before the start of the Governors’ Cup with its quick format, did you already know na kukulangin talaga yung time for the team to completely adapt to a new coach and new system?

LT: Actually napag-usapan na yun before the start of the new conference. Of course, hindi naman dapat ganito ang nangyari sa amin because we had several chances naman talaga to get to the top 4. Marami kaming chances. Kasi nung mga unang games, okay pa. We started 3-0. Then we started 4-1. Medyo nahirapan kami sa teaching side kasi nag-dikit-dikit na yung games namin. Nakaka-defend kami, yes. Pero as a team (offensively) ang gulo. Hirap na hirap kami maka-score. Then, frustration set in towards the end of the conference. But it was expected na mahihirapan kami at the start. It’s obvious when you look at the tapes. Even when we’re winning, we see a lot of things we need to improve on. Coach Jeff told us that we will get better and I can see that naman talaga. I can see the potential of us getting better especially with the system na nilagay ni Coach Jeff.

MH: Why will the new system eventually work for Ginebra?

LT: It’s a good system para sa team namin especially because we have Greg (Slaughter), we have Japeth (Aguilar) and then we have Mark (Caguioa). Kailangan lang talaga ng time to get it together. Kasi every conference iba yung coach namin so siyempre hindi madali yun for the team, for the individual players, mahirap talaga yun.

MH: If you could be more specific, what is it about the new system that makes you and the other players optimistic? People know it’s connected to the triangle offense because Coach Jeff came from San Mig Coffee. But for instance, how will this new system maximize the talent of Greg?

LT: Yes, perfect example is Greg. In the triangle offense, our number one option is our post guy which is Greg and Greg is our biggest advantage on the court. Marami na pwedeng mangyari ‘pag hawak ni Greg yung bola. In the triangle, si Greg marami siyang options na makukuha. He can pass the ball. He can easily go to the basket. He can easily seal and get to a good position. I think it benefits Mark Caguioa also. ‘Pag nakuha na talaga namin yung system namin, yung position ni Mark is very crucial. If I can compare this to the time when I was in Alaska, he will be like Willie Miller or Cyrus Baguio. He’s our main guy. He’s our Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in the triangle offense. Ganoon ang mangyayari.

MH: So a play can start with Greg and can end with Mark?

LT: Yes, pwedeng ganoon. That’s why it’s important to have a strong relationship between the point guard, Mark and Greg kasi these are the most crucial positions sa triangle offense. Just like in San Mig Coffee with Pingris, James Yap, Simon and Barroca. They need to have that same approach sa system. If we run a motion offense, you’re trying to look for one guy. It can be very predictable. Our new offense should be unpredictable. When we pass the ball to Greg, that doesn’t mean Greg will shoot the ball. No. Because he has plenty of options. And he’s still young, he’s still a rookie and he’ll learn a lot. Maganda talaga potential ng team namin. I just hope we’ll stick to this system for a very long time.

MH: Bakit mahalaga na you guys stay together for a long time?

LT: The most important thing with the team is its chemistry and familiarity among the players and coaches. Yun ang importante. Kailangan matagal kaming magkakasama together. Doon makukuha ang chemistry ng team. Doon mag-sta-start talaga lahat.

MH: You mentioned that it’s important that the point guard, the go-to-guy and the big man need to have a strong relationship with one another. So that’s you, Mark and Greg. How would you describe your relationship with Mark and Greg?

LT: Outside the court, okay ako sa kanilang dalawa especially with Mark. Kasi two years na ako sa Ginebra kasama siya so okay kami. We have an understanding na kahit magpalit-palit pa ng sistema, we can talk to each other and we can play together. Siya na nagsabi sa akin na, ‘LA ikaw na bahala sa team ‘pag nasa loob ng court. Ikaw yung point guard so you have to be very vocal talaga.’ When I joined Ginebra, siyempre I had to respect Mark and JayJay (Helterbrand) kasi siyempre (matagal na sila) sa Ginebra. Mark is very vocal especially sa social media (laughs) pero he’s not as vocal sa court. So he gave me the go-signal to be that vocal player on the floor. Our relationship is okay. Okay kami ni Mark.

MH: What about with Greg?

LT: With Greg, parang hindi pa kami completely adjusted sa isa’t isa kasi nag-iiba yung sistema din. Hindi ko pa masigurado (when we’re on the court) kung saang position ba talaga gusto niya. The system kasi keeps changing. Last conference, isa lang position niya, doon lang siya sa poste. Now iba na position niya sa new system. So marami pa kami kailangan pag-usapan kasi I want to know kung ano ang gusto niya ‘pag naglalaro siya. Saan ba niya gusto makuha yung bola? Gusto ba niya na napag-sasabihan siya during a game, stuff like that. These are small things that can add up if you’re looking at the bigger picture.

MH: Looking at the bigger picture, given that the Governors’ Cup apparently couldn’t provide the necessary number of games for a team to master a new system, what is a reasonable time frame for Ginebra to make everything work? Is it one more conference or kailangan ba one whole season? Ano ang nakikita mo na reasonable time frame?

LT: This long off-season break will help a lot. I’m not saying na pagdating ng All-Filipino, automatic na, na mag-cha-champion na kami. Maybe 80 percent or 70 percent, we’ll have a chance to win the All-Filipino. I’m not sure if we will undergo changes pa, hindi ko alam. But if ganito pa rin yung team namin, if we have the same core, we have a big chance sa All-Filipino tournament. Of course, wala kami ni Japeth during the break because we will be with Gilas. Malaking bagay din yun. Pero dapat by the middle of the All-Filipino or the start of the second conference, kuhang-kuha na namin lahat yung system. Also, since we’re going back a more regular schedule next season na hindi dikit-dikit yung laro namin, it will give us more time to learn the system and that will be good for us. Target talaga namin is the All-Filipino pero tingin ko by the start of the second conference, sobrang okay na kami.