Tenorio strengthens Ginebra but doesn’t guarantee championship, says Tanquingcen

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

The addition of LA Tenorio to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel lineup is certainly a big boost for the Gin Kings, according to coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean it would guarantee the Gin Kings a championship. LA is definitely a big piece, a piece which I’ve been looking for the past few years. But we have to work everybody on the same page for us to be successful in the coming season,” Tanquingcen told InterAKTV.

The Gin Kings nabbed Tenorio in a five-team trade involving Alaska, GlobalPort, Barako Bull and Petron.

Tanquingcen has long been in search for help at the point guard spot, with Jayjay Helterbrand already entertaining thoughts about retirement and Mike Cortez also advancing in age. Ginebra drafted four point guards in the PBA draft earlier this month.

But with Tenorio joining Ginebra, Tanquingcen no longer needs to roll the dice with rookies.

“No question on the capability of LA. He’s a player with championship experience and he’s also a big-time player. He just needs to get in the groove of what we do as a team,” said Tanquingcen.

Ginebra gave up Enrico Villanueva and two draft picks — first round in 2014 and second round in 2015 — in the deal, but the center’s departure will carve up some space in an overloaded frontcourt rotation that also features Kerby Raymundo, Billy Mamaril, Rudy Hatfled, Rico Maierhofer, Willie Wilson and rookie Keith Jensen.

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