Ginebra stars LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa battling illness as rest of Gin Kings step up

Sports5 file/Paolo Papa

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was severely handicapped coming into Sunday’s game against three-time defending champion Talk ‘N Text.

The Gin Kings star backcourt of Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio were both battling illness, with the latter even having been confined before the game at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City.

“May trangkaso ako eh,” Tenorio told InterAksyon.com. “Nagpalabas lang ako, pero babalik ako ng hospital. Nagpaalam lang ako kung pwede ako lumabas na maglaro lang kaso parang medyo mag-co-collapse na ako.

“Nakapag-practice pa ako kahapon pero kagabi talaga ako nagkaroon ng trangkaso, so nagpadala na ako sa hospital kasi nag-chi-chill na ako.”

Tenorio, whose temperature reached 38.7 degree celcius before the game, managed to make a huge contribution in 23 minutes, dishing six assists including one that set up Japeth Aguilar’s game-winning three-pointer in the dying seconds of the game.

Caguioa has also been ailing, managing to play just 14 minutes against the Tropang Texters.

“Actually, nung Friday pa ako nagkasakit. Friday ng madaling araw, pero nakapag-practice pa ako noon,” said Caguioa, who was clad in a sweater to keep from getting cold upon leaving the Ginebra locker room. “Akala ko you’re going to sweat it out and everything’s gonna be OK. Usually ganun ginagawa ko, and what happened was the next day hindi ako nakapag-practice. I think it’s flu because everyone has been getting it (on the team).”

With Tenorio and Caguioa off their game, the rest of the Gin Kings found ways to contribute. Aguilar paced Ginebra with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and seven blocks, while his frontcourt partner Greg Slaughter added 16, nine, and two.

Chris Ellis (17 points) and Mac Baracael (12 points) took up the scoring cudgels for Caguioa, while Emman Monfort played quality minutes quarterbacking the team in Tenorio’s stead.

“Good thing nag-step up lahat ng teammates namin,” said Tenorio.