Ginebra Is Stronger Now – Siot

Ginebra Is Stronger Now – Siot
By WAYLON GALVEZ
September 17, 2012, 8:15pm



Can three talented point guards co-exist?

Yes.

That’s how Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen sees things with new acquisition LA Tenorio forming a ‘super’ point guard rotation with Jayjay Helterbrand and Mike Cortez in the 38th PBA Season starting Sept. 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Last month, the Kings obtained the services of Tenorio in a blockbuster trade with the Alaska Aces, bringing in a player who is expected to make instant impact to the team with his court wizardry and leadership.

While there were skeptics on how Tanquingcen will manage the playing time of the “Big 3”, the multi-titled coach sees no problem with the set-up.

He said he has already discussed the matter with his players and all are excited to have Tenorio in the team.

Tenorio is currently with the Smart Gilas II competing the 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan. He was recently named the MVP of the Jones Cup in Taiwan where he led the Nationals to the championship.

Besides, any coach won’t resist of having Tenorio on his team as it is like having a “Chris Paul to your team” who can contribute right away.

“No doubt, we got better at the guard spot (with Tenorio). It’s a big boost to the team, no question about that,” Tanquingcen said yesterday. “The only question is how we’ll mix it, which is always the priority when you bring in a new player.”

“But I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, everybody understands their roles when LA came in,” Tanquingcen added.

Prior to his departure for Japan, Tenorio played in three tune-up games with the Kings.

In last season’s PH Cup, Ginebra entered the playoffs but lost to Rain or Shine in the best-of-three quarterfinals series – no thanks to injuries to key players, including Helterbrand.

However, Tanquingcen said that Helterbrand – the MVP of the 2009 Season – has played well in four tune-up games and in practice sessions of Ginebra coming off the bench.

Helterbrand and Cortez will be coming off the bench as Tenorio will start at the point guard spot.

“With the lineup we have, the promise and potential is there. Hindi ko pagkakaila yun. But as I’ve said, we’ll see how well we’ll mix together. The other teams like Petron Blaze, Talk ’N Text, B-Meg, and even Rain or Shine, they already have that fluidity,” he said.

“Our goal is to make the top four, which we can do only if we get our acts together. We now we can’t just do that on one click, we have to work on it. But I’m very high on our team. We have that potential to be a great team,” Tanquingcen added.

Other holdovers of Ginebra are reigning MVP Mark Caguioa, Rudy Hatfield, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer, Willy Wilson and Billy Mamaril, the only legitimate center of the team, while the other newcomers are rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen.

Source: MB