'Problema namin yung third quarter', LA Tenorio Reason for Ginebra’s losing streak

LA Tenorio is the newest member of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, but he isn’t afraid to point out problems with the team this early in his tenure.

The spitfire guard, acquired in the offseason in a five-team blockbuster trade, said the team’s sluggish performances after the halftime break is the reason behind the Gin Kings’ three-game slide.

“Problema namin yung third quarter. Doon kami nagiging matamlay. Doon kami napag-iiwanan. Kailangan maglaro kami ng strong third quarter para hindi kami laging naghahabol,” said Tenorio.

Ginebra was outscored by Petron, 26-19, in the third period of the Gin Kings loss last Sunday. In its first defeat at the hands of Meralco, the Bolts outscored Ginebra, 32-21, in the third period.

Curiously, Ginebra edged Barako Bull, 25-20, in the third quarter of their game, although the Energy Colas won the fourth quarter of that game, 24-13, to notch the victory.

But veteran guard Jayjay Helterbrand is not yet ready to push the panic button.

“It’s not about whether there’s something wrong with the team. It’s about the adjustment period. This team is an entirely different team from the previous ones that we have,” Helterbrand told InterAKTV.

“There were a lot of new players, a lot of key additions. We’re all adjusting to one another. We’re still learning one another. But we take this setbacks as valuable lessons and move forward.”

Helterbrand thinks the team hasn’t peaked yet, and he feels comfortable with the present setup of the team despite the consecutive losses.

“I would prefer losing games this early rather than losing games in the latter stretch of the tournament,” said Helterbrand. “Last season, we were winning games in the early stage, but we fell short and failed to make it to the finals of all three conferences.”

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings , Jayjay Helterbrand , LA Tenorio , PBA

The Best Trades in Alaska History

Last Friday, the Alaska Aces completed a trade that sent LA Tenorio, the man who had been the face of the franchise, to Ginebra San Miguel, in a five-team deal that netted them JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. It was a risky trade, to be sure; Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo called it a “leap of faith.”

But the Aces franchise is no stranger to making bold, risky moves that involve big names. For example, in 1992, the team sent reigning Rookie of the Year Eugene Quilban to 7-Up in exchange for backup point guard Jun Reyes.

In 2001, Alaska traded Johnny Abarrientos, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, along with Poch Juinio to Pop Cola for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio. Two years later, the squad completed a draft-day deal that sent another former Most Valuable Player, Kenneth Duremdes, to Sta. Lucia for the fifth overall pick, which the Aces used on Brandon Cablay.

But more often than not Alaska comes out on the winning end of big trades. In this latest installment of The List, we count down the best trades — or as we like to call them, the Wacky Moves, in honor of longtime Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo — in the history of the Aces franchise.

10. Acquired Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan from Purefoods for Cris Bolado (1997)
After winning the Grand Slam in 1996, members of Alaska were hot commodities around the league. Jeffrey Cariaso signed an offer sheet with the rebuilding Mobiline squad, while bench players also received interest from other teams.

Backup center Cris Bolado was coveted by Purefoods, and the two teams agreed on a deal that sent Jumbo to the Corned Beef Cowboys in exchange for Rodney Santos and Bryant Punzalan.

While Bolado helped Purefoods to the 1997 All-Filipino Conference title, where he cemented his lucky charm reputation, Santos ended up as a valuable contributor for Alaska in the long run, backing up both guard positions and helping make up for the absence of Cariaso until the arrival of Kenneth Duremdes later in the season.

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Alaska Aces , Bong Hawkins , Cyrus Baguio , Don Allado , Jeffrey Cariaso , Joe devance , Kenneth Duremdes , LA Tenorio , Larry Fonacier , Mike Cortez , PBA , Rodney Santos , The List , Willie Miller

Ex-Ginebra fans Heart Broker, Tenorio hopes to bring joy to the Barangay

LA Tenorio has broken the hearts of Ginebra fans numerous times.

In one memorable game last season, he scored seven points in 20 seconds, capped by the game-winning three-pointer, to lead Alaska to an out-of-town victory over Ginebra, a defeat that remains fresh in the minds of the team’s fans.

“Yun nga ang parating sinasabi ng mga tao, marami raw akong pinaiyak na Ginebra fans before,” Tenorio told InterAKTV in a telephone interview. “Pero magkakampi na kami ngayon. It’s a good thing they will cheer for me now.”

Tenorio was the centerpiece of the five-team monster trade completed last Friday that sent him to Ginebra. The 5-foot-8 guard, who is coming off a sensational performance to win Most Valuable Player honors in the 34th William Jones Cup, has been welcomed as a new hero by Ginebra fans.

But he said the never-say-die faithful should manage their expectations.

“Hindi dahil nasa Ginebra na ako, ibig sabihin mananalo na kami ng championship,” said Tenorio, who begins practice with his new team on Monday. “Hindi magic ‘yan. Kailangang paghirapan yan.”

The cool and calculating guard knows he has to make adjustments as well in his transfer to the Gin Kings.

“Panibagong pakikisama ito. Dati kasi I felt at home with Alaska. Now, I’m going to start a new chapter in the Ginebra family,” said Tenorio.

“Still, I hope this will be my final stop. Ayaw ko na rin yung palipat-lipat. As much as possible nga, gusto ko dito na ako magretiro.”

Strong tradition

Tenorio joins a Ginebra franchise that enjoys a strong point guard tradition, beginning with Robert Jaworski and carried on by Bal David and Jayjay Helterbrand. Tenorio would be the latest to assume that mantle.

But Tenorio doesn’t want to make a big fuss about the history of the position.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself. Those guys are great guards, mahirap pantayan yan,” said Tenorio. “I know na yung papel ko rito sa Ginebra will be different from the one I used to do in Alaska. So kung saan tayo makakatulong, doon lang tayo.”

-Rey Joble, InterAKTV

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings , LA Tenorio , PBA