Mark Caguioa unsurprised by heroics of LA Tenorio: ‘Malaki ang puso niyan’

PBA/Nuki Sabio

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar Mark Caguioa fouled out of his team’s knockout match against Talk ‘N Text on Tuesday with still less than three minutes left in the game.

But he knew that despite his absence, the Gin Kings were still in good hands with LA Tenorio ready to take over.

“Ako ang bahala dito,” Tenorio told Caguioa, before putting the finishing touches on Ginebra’s 110-102 victory.

Tenorio scored seven of the Gin Kings’ last nine points as his endgame brilliance staved off a late Tropang Texters’ rally and propelled his team to the quarterfinal round.

Caguioa was not surprised by Tenorio’s heroics down the stretch.

“I know LA, siyempre malaki puso niyan,” Caguioa told InterAKTV. “Alam ko na he’s gonna takeover the game.”

Still, the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player couldn’t help but be amazed by how Tenorio basically carried Ginebra at the end.

“Nakita mo naman kung ano ginawa niya. He’s penetrating. It’s either he’s gonna pass the ball or he’s gonna take it to himself.That’s LA. He never gives up. He’s a very, very smart player,” said Caguioa of Tenorio, who finished with a stellar line of 24 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and three steals while making all 11 of his attempts from the free throw line.

With the win, the Gin Kings stayed alive in the Governors’ Cup, winning the eighth seed in the quarterfinal round. Tenorio hopes the momentum from the victory could carry them further.

“Itong game na ito, malaking bagay ito going to the playoff. At least sa last chance namin ito nakuha. Ito yung makakapag-improve sa amin going into the playoff,” said Tenorio.