Kings squeezing the most from Tenorio

Kings squeezing the most from Tenorio


GINEBRA coach Siot Tanquingcen has one major concern right now, to play as many games as possible with LA Tenorio before the playmaker departs for the FIBA-Asia Cup tilt.

“’Yun ang priority namin sa ngayon, to try and squeeze in as many games with LA,” Tanquingcen told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.

“We are trying to incorporate him into our system along with our other newcomers because once he returns there will be little time left before the opening,” he added. “Yes, we are really trying to cram as many games as we can with him.”

Tenorio, acquired in a complicated trade two weeks ago, has had to balance his practice schedules with Ginebra and the Smart-Gilas team set to leave this Wednesday for the Asian tournament in Tokyo, Japan set on Sept. 14-22.

The coming PBA season kicks off with the Philippine Cup on Sept. 30.

“Mahirap kasi ang sitwasyon niya, he has to practice with us and with the national team, and we understand that,” said Tanquingcen. “But hindi naman puwedeng he’ll come into our team for the season practically unfamiliar with what we’re trying to do.”

Tenorio wore the Ginebra uniform for the first time in a won game against Rain or Shine last Friday and is set to take part in similar tune-up games against the Qatar national team today and Australia’s youth team tomorrow.

All should serve Tenorio and Ginebra in good stead for their familiarization phase to get shorter.

“Any team naman na may mga bago has to undergo through an adjustment period, undoubtedly,” said Tanquingcen. “But when you have players na magagaling, matataas ang basketball IQ then that period nagiging short lang.”

Tenorio is one of those and Tanquingcen expects a lot from him, no matter how relatively unfamiliar he may be to the Ginebra system.

“LA is a pro at alam mo naman ang mga players na magagaling tulad niya, nagagawan ng paraan para makapag-contribute sa team,” noted Tanquingcen.

Aside from Tenorio, also new to the perennial crowd favorites are rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen.

The scheduled signing to a new contract by Eric Menk once the former MVP returns from vacation completes the Kings’ 16-man roster, two over the required lineup for active players per team.

Tanquingcen, however, does not see that as a problem.

“From practices until the games proper tuloy-tuloy ang evaluation kaya when the time comes for us to submit our 14-man lineup, then we should already have a clear idea of what to do doon sa mga sobrang players,” he stated.

Source: Malaya