SMART Clark Giga City - Not once did LA Tenorio hesitated to pass the the ball to rookie wingman Arvin Tolentino with the outcome of Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on the line.
It's a matter of trusting his teammates, according to the veteran Barangay Ginebra guard.
"Open ako pero I opted to pass the ball to Arvin because that's how I trust my teammates," said Tenorio.
Tolentino didn't disappoint and scored on an open lay up to tie the count at 92 and send the game into overtime against TnT Tropang Giga.
Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar then took over in the extra period as the Kings outlasted the Tropang Giga, 100-94, for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
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The 36-year-old Tenorio finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds with no turnovers committed in 43 minutes of play.
But he said the win was a a total team effort for the Kings, who are eyeing to regain the All-Filipino championship since last winning it in 2017.
"I cannot win this on my own. Stanley (Pringle) cannot win this on his own, Japeth cannot win this on his own. We really have to trust each other," Tenorio stressed.
It just so happened Tolentino was the one who had the good look when Tenorio called the play in the waning seconds of regulation and the Kings trailing by two.
"Actually the play is really for me to get the ball and make the decision. That was a good read by Arvin. I saw him," Tenorio recalled of the moment.
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"He's there for a reason on that possession, so yun I trusted him even though he's a rookie, but I trusted him to make a strong finish," he added. "If he missed that, we can't do anything about it. That's the best shot already in that possession."
Tolentino did, and gave Barangay Ginebra a new lease on life.
And it's all about trust. (RG)
