PBA Finals: Meralco Bolts have the edge, says Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

Two weeks before the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco, ‘mind games’ may have started.

Veteran Ginebra guard LA Tenorio, a master of psywar on the playing court, told the Manila Bulletin that with three new players, Meralco now has depth on its roster which the Bolts could use to their advantage against the Kings when the two teams clash for the third time in a row in the championship series of the season-ending conference.

The operative phrase here, of course, is ‘could use to their advantage.’

“Personally, I think they have the advantage,” said Tenorio yesterday.

“Medyo ibang team sila ngayon with the addition of three key players as compared to the first two championship series na nakaharap namin sila. Mas lumalim sila ngayon sa tingin ko.”

The ace playmaker was referring to Meralco recruits Bong Quinto, selected by the Bolts in the second round of the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, and veterans Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi – obtained in separate trades with Rain or Shine and the Blackwater Elite.

The 6-foot-9 Almazan is averaging nearly 15 points and 12.1 rebounds as Meralco’s starting center, while Maliksi has close to nine points and Quinto – a product of Letran – has seven points and two boards a game this conference.

Tenorio may have been overly generous with his assessment because although Meralco has added three new members, Ginebra has acquired one if not the best player in the league pound-for-pound in Stanley Pringle, arguably the most dangerous 1-on-1 player in the PBA with his killer crossover.

“Of course malaking bagay yung pagdating sa amin ni Stanley, ang laking tulong,” Tenorio conceded.

The former Ateneo Blue Eagle may have spoken on the basis of recent history.

When the two teams clashed last Nov. 3, Meralco dominated Ginebra 101-77.

It was evident in that game that their additions have given Bolts coach Norman Black additional firepower to go with his core unit led by former Best Import winner Allen Durham, as well as onetime Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome.

Justin Brownlee, who steered Ginebra to three championships including two Governors’ Cup titles, is also playing solid basketball with averages of 27.91 points, 13.36 rebounds and eight assists per game this conference, giving Kings coach Tim Cone comparative firepower, especially with the arrival of Pringle.

Tenorio said that Durham is playing at a very high level now with averages of 29.64 points, 14.64 rebounds and 6.27 assists. Durham’s performance in the semifinals against TNT KaTropa speaks volume of how he wants to return to the finals, and help Meralco win the title after two failed attempts against Ginebra.

“It’s going to be a tough series. Well, palagi naman na kapag Meralco ang kalaban namin, talagang pahirapan. Kita naman sa naunang dalawang series namin. Saka pa gang magkaharap sa series si coach Tim and coach Norman, parang chess match e – palaisipan,” said Tenorio.

Source: Manila Bulletin