Ginebra wins minus MVP

Tenorio's takeover

Despite not having reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Mark Caguioa in the fold the last couple of games, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel have stormed into 4th place of the ongoing Commissioner's Cup thanks to a fiery six-game winning streak.

The victories, all via an average lead of about "only" 5.3 points, have been brought about by the obvious chemistry between prized acquisition L.A. Tenorio and replacement import Vernon Macklin (who took over for the ineffective Herbert Hill). From lobs to gimmes, the two have been a joy to watch with Tenorio enjoying his best string of games so far wearing Ginebra's red, white and black colors (averaging around 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a game).

Also coming to Tenorio's aide are Kerby Raymundo (6 points, 4 rebounds in only 13 minutes), Mac Baracael and Rob Labagala.


These guys have all stepped up for Ginebra considering the fact that not much was really expected of them to start the season. Baracael was made expendable by the team that drafted him, the Alaska Aces, because of his penchant for inconsistency and hesitation on the basketball court. Raymundo, though a highly skilled and well-polished finesse big man, just couldn't get into any sort of rhythm within the Ginebra system. Then there's Labagala, supposedly expendable, with the addition of Tenorio and the determined "comeback/ encore bid" of Jayjay Helterbrand.

What's more, the team has managed to keep the streak alive without Caguioa who was pretty much the alpha and omega of the team's offense. There were no creative plays, fancy pick-and-rolls or pops, there was only Caguioa seemingly doing a 2012 Powerade-era Gary David in an effort to keep his team afloat.

The big question now is, will the team be able to keep this momentum once the reigning PBA MVP returns?

We doubt that Baracael would see as many touches as he did in tonight's pulsating 91-90 win over the Meralco Bolts. Baracael was pretty much looking for his shots, signalling for the ball and driving to the hoop like he would back in an FEU green and gold jersey.

Also, Tenorio and Caguioa weren't really meshing as well as they should early this season. Caguiao needs the ball at all times, while Tenorio is also much more effective when the rock is in his hands for long stretches so that he could set up the rest of his teammates. For a while there, they looked like the PBA version of present day Los Angeles Lakers teammates Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. They're great individually, but haven't really produced big numbers as a pair.

If you're a PBA fan, it would be fun to see just how far the country's most popular basketball team makes it this conference after all the trials they faced earlier in the season. Honestly, Ginebra playing in any PBA Finals against any opponent has always been a joy to watch thanks largely to their huge following.