Tenorio wants battle-tested Caguioa, Helterbrand to take charge in Game Seven

Ginebra star LA Tenorio says he wants the ball in the hands of veteran teammates Jayjay Heltebrand and Mark Caguioa come crunch time in Game Seven. Jerome Ascano

GINEBRA'S star playmaker LA Tenorio wants battle-tested players like Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand to take charge for the Gin Kings when they play the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the deciding Game Seven of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal playoff.

Tenorio said big boys Greg Slaughter and shot-blocking forward Japeth Aguilar will always be integral to the team's game, but recognized that players who are no strangers to the pressure of a Game Seven, like Caguioa and Hleterbrand, will have to show the way in the do-or-die game on Wednesday.

"I told him (Caguioa), he really needs to get the ball even though (Justin) Melton or whoever is guarding him. I said he needs to find ways to get the ball kasi yung mga ganung oras (crunch time), we need Jayjay and we need Mark," said the Ginebra guard.

"Greg is there, matangkad siya and he's our advantage. But I think, mas gusto ko na towards the end game, na kay Mark or Jayjay ang bola," he added. "They (Caguioa and Helterbrand) know what to do, been there and done that, so marami silang puwedeng gawin."

Knowing his former coach Tim Cone, who is now calling the shots for San Mig, Tenorio expects San Mig to be a tough nut to crack in the climax of what has been a riveting series.

In fact, Ginebra's 'Tinyente,' who used to play under Cone during their time with Alaska, expects minimal adjustments from the American mentor.

"He'll (Cone) stick to what is working for him, to his system sa triangle offense. Kasi San Mig is already doing the triangle na parang automatic na. Ngayon, ibang iba na flow ang nila a triangle," Tenorio said.