Tenorio on Japeth's game-winning three-pointer: 'He practices that shot every day'

Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar celebrates perhaps the biggest shot of his PBA career. Jerome Ascano

UNKNOWN  to most fans, LA Tenorio was burning with fever on the eve of Barangay Ginebra’s game versus three-time Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text.

But aware of the importance of the game, the 5-8 Tenorio asked permission from his attending physician at the St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City to get out of the hospital on Sunday afternoon, just so he could play for a few minutes for the Gin Kings.

“Galing akong ospital eh, nagpalabas lang ako. Nagpaalam lang ako kung puwede, kahit papawis lang,” Tenorio said after Ginebra pulled off a come-from-behind 97-95 win over Talk ‘N Text.

As expected, Tenorio wasn’t his usual self, as he was still suffering from chills during the game and at one point, felt he would collapse because of the effects of fever. He ended up playing for 23 minutes, scoring two points to go with four rebounds and six assists.

“Medyo parang magko-collapse na ako, good thing nag-step up mga teammates ko,” he said.

Tenorio was particularly thankful that Japeth Aguilar came through in the end, knocking down perhaps the biggest shot of his PBA career with the go-ahead three-pointer before preserving Ginebra’s victory with a last-second swat of Ranidel de Ocampo’s corner jump shot.

“Yung maturity ni Japeth, yun ang napansin ko eh. Nung napunta siya sa Ginebra, I think. nasa Lithuania kami eh (with Gilas),” recalled the Ginebra veteran guard. He was excited to play for Ginebra. And the good thing about Japeth is he listens, kahit minsan, kita mo sa game frustrated na mukha ko, he listens.”

Tenorio insisted that game-winning shot is a sign of maturity for Aguilar and is in no way a lucky shot.

“That’s one side of Japeth’s maturity kaya I have to give that shot to him. He takes that (shot) everyday, with Dylan (Ababou) actually.”

Tenorio is hopeful that Aguilar continues to be sponge-like in learning from him and the rest of the Gin Kings as the 26-year-old Ginebra forward continues his rise in the pro league.