LA Tenorio takes full responsibility for Game 3 loss: ‘Inaako ko yung nangyari sa amin’

LA Tenorio stunned the basketball world when he opted for a layup instead of a potential game-tying triple in the closing seconds of the semifinal match between Brgy. Ginebra and NLEX in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup.

After committing a passing blunder in the previous play which resulted in a 3-point lead by the Road Warriors with 7.3 ticks left on the game clock, the 37-year old 4-time PBA Finals MVP received the inbound from Justin Brownlee and then went coast-to-coast for a quick two which cut the lead to one and pegged the final score at 86-85 in favor of the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad.

The costly miscues averted a 3-0 sweep by the Gin Kings and gave the Road Warriors a chance to equalize the best-of-five series with pivotal Game 4 set on Wednesday, March 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Na-disorient ako sa turnover ko kaya di ko na nakita yung scoreboard,” said Tenorio on his decision to go for a two-pointer. “I forgot eh. Kaya ‘di ko na nakita ‘yung scoreboard. It’s very unusual for me. Masyado ako na-ano sa turnover ko na napasa ko kay Brownlee.”

“Yun nga mali ko. Di ko na tiningnan scoreboard. Habang nagfe-free throw si Clark, ang nasa isip ko, ‘Get the ball and get something out of it.’ Di ko na naisip na tatlo pala yung lamang. Wala talagang idea,” he added.

After realizing that the disappointing defeat was on him, Tenorio immediately apologized to the rest of the team inside the dugout.

“I told the guys na it’s really on me, kumbaga this game is on me. Inaako ko yung nangyari sa amin. As one of the vets sa team, I really have to admit ano ang mistakes namin,” said the Best Player of the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

“Kailangan kong labanan sarili ko, starting with tomorrow sa practice. And then Tuesday and most especially, sa Wednesday. Sa Wednesday, I cannot be too gigil to redeem myself. So I really have to battle.”