LA Tenorio: We needed more experience

SEVILLE, Spain – “Experience, experience, experience.”

Point guard LA Tenorio kept repeating that word when asked where Gilas Pilipinas fell short in its do-or-die game against Puerto Rico Wednesday, September 3, at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Spain.

Gilas lost, 77-73, effectively ending their hopes of making it into the Round of 16 in the 2014 FIBA World Championships.

It was another close game. Another game that the Philippine national team could have won.

Sparked by Tenorio in the first quarter, who finally had a breakout game, going 4/4 from the field for 9 points, helping Gilas gain a 12-point lead, 25-13, at the end of the opening period.

But that lead would soon fizzle out and Gilas, once again, found itself in a tight situation in the final moments of the game.

“Experience. Number one. Experience during the end game. Doon lang tayo natatalo sa end game. I think perfect example is this game. They are very experienced. Their guards are very experienced. (JJ) Barea is very experienced so ‘yun ‘yung ginamit niya sa amin during the end game,” said Tenorio.

(We always lose in the end game. JJ Barea is very experienced and he used that against us in the end game.)

The Barangay Ginebra court general is also taking responsibility for the last play Barea made that helped seal the win for the Puerto Ricans.

“That was on me, kasi it’s my job to stop him, to defend him as much as possible, as much as I can but the experience, talagang nilabas niya e,” he said visibly disappointed with the outcome.

(He [Barea] really brought out his experience in this game.)

“Sobrang sakit kasi we had the opportunity again and again and again. A lot of opportunities. Sayang, sayang, sayang. Sayang, we could have been 3-1 easily.”

(This hurts so much because we had the opportunity again and again and again. A lot of opportunities. It’s a shame, we could have been 3-1 easily.)

Lessons learned

The 2012 Jones Cup MVP said the lessons Gilas learned from competing in the world basketball stage will be valuable as they look ahead to other international competitions in the future.

“After these kinds of games, I don’t think… kung makakaulit kami dito or in different tournaments, we know what to do,” said Tenorio

(After these kinds of games, I don’t think… if we ever get here [World Cup] again or in different tournaments, we know what to do.)

Asked if the team needed more time to prepare, the veteran guard agreed.

“Yes, definitely. I think ‘yun yung pinakamalaking bagay.”

(I think that’s the biggest thing)

“We’ve been together for 43 days to be exact. 43, 44 days. That’s not enough kasi itong mga team na ‘to, matagal ng magkakasama ‘yang mga ‘yan e. (these teams have been together for a while).”

“And they’ve been in international competition every single year, every single World Cup nandiyan ‘yang mga ‘yan. Ibang level of competition. We’re here. We’re fighting ’till the end,” he added.

Looking ahead

With much regret in the tone of his voice, Tenorio maintains the goal is still to win.

“Sino namang makakaisip… kahit naman siguro kayo hindi ninyo inexpect na didikit talaga tayo dito. Surprised lahat talaga even us but, you know, the goal is, again, to fight ’till the end, to… makasungkit ng panalo.“

(Who would have thought… even you guys, you probably didn’t expect is to be in the thick of things. Everyone was surprised, including us. But, you know, the goal is, again, to fight ’till the end, to… get a win.)

On Thursday, September 4, the team plays its final match of the tournament against Senegal at 2 pm (8 pm in the Philippines) and Tenorio promised the team will still go for the win.

“We’re not gonna stop playing, we’re not gonna stop getting that first win. I don’t think na any… I’m not sure but if I’m not mistaken, any Asian team, hindi pa nakakapanalo dito so… Iran, Korea. Siguro it’s pride for us, sa part ng isang Asian team na makapanalo ng isa.“

(I’m not sure but if I’m not mistaken, no Asian team has registered a win. Not Iran or Korea. So, it’s pride for us to be the Asian team that gets at least one win.)

– Rappler.com