Setbacks leave Hotshots, Painters looking for answers
LA Tenorio admitted there’s still that urge for him to snap out of his usual coaching shirt and do the dual role of also being Magnolia’s floor general.
“Of course, it’s different when you’re playing,” Tenorio said. “Sometimes I just want to snatch the ball and say, ‘I’ll just do it myself.’”
Tenorio isn’t just saying it as lip service or a metaphor, since the Hotshots have the rookie mentor on the injured or reserve list. In fact, a jersey bearing his name and the famous No. 5 had already been made, ready whenever he decides to make a return.
But like he has said in the past, his full focus remains on steering Magnolia to a better position to compete in the PBA Philippine Cup, even despite Friday’s 94-92 loss to San Miguel Beer at the Ynares Center II in Rodriguez, Rizal brought the Hotshots down to 4-2.
Magnolia fell out of a logjam atop the standings. Sitting there alone now is TNT, which the Hotshots were supposed to play Sunday in the town commonly known as Montalban, before the PBA decided to postpone the doubleheader due to Super Typhoon Uwan.
TNT is at 5-1 after its overtime escape over lowly Terrafirma on Friday and coach Chot Reyes didn’t hide the fact that his team can do better despite the result.
Tied for second with identical 5-2 win-loss slates are NLEx and Rain or Shine, after the Road Warriors blew out the Elasto Painters, 105-91, in Saturday’s nightcap at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Lulls addressed
The result enabled coach Jong Uichico, Robert Bolick, who sizzled for 28 points, and company to atone for the 30-point embarrassment handed to them by Barangay Ginebra.
Uichico addressed the lulls that hounded the Road Warriors for most of the campaign and it showed the hard way against the Gin Kings when they weren’t able to complete their comeback early in the third that led to the blowout.
“We still had that lull in the second quarter [against Rain or Shine],” said Uichico. “But at least we were able to make up for it.”
Rain or Shine wasted a chance to end the week with the solo lead as the absence of Keith Datu, who was ruled to miss the rest of the season due to a rupture of his right patellar tendon, was severely felt.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is also dealing with Stanley Pringle and Caelan Tiongson being in street clothes yet again, and their status for Saturday’s match against TNT in Cagayan de Oro will be known within the week.
“Among the options is to sign from free agency or to sign our first round picks,” said Guiao, who selected Christian Manaytay and Jun Roque in the September Draft.
Manaytay has already joined the team’s practice sessions after his MPBL stint with Nueva Ecija ended, while Roque is still playing for Letran in the NCAA.
