The Final Cut

Two of the best.
(Photo credit: Nuki Sabo, PBA Images)

Or cuts.

Though we are not privy to the Gilas Pilipinas on-goings, it would not be much of a stretch to say that it was probably quite a painful task to cut proven stars, point guard L.A. Tenorio and small forward Calvin Abueva, from the Final 12 that will represent the country in the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July.

With all due respect to the Final 12, which we will write about on a separate entry, Tenorio and Abueva are arguably the best players at their natural positions today.


Tenorio’s game has dipped somewhat in the last 1 ½ seasons, but he is still the barometer for point guards with his uncanny ability to control tempo and orchestrate. If Jayson Castro is the modern basketball era’s Johnny Abarrientos, then Tenorio is that era’s Ronnie Magsanoc. He may not light opponents up like Castro, but Tenorio does so many things on the floor from a “control/ command center” standpoint that is usually enough to put his team on a winning side.

Oh, and Tenorio is clutch. He is short, but he is clutch.

Then there is Abueva.

KNLSFLDJAPODF-0AF- AOIDFHAPODFP[ASFPOJASDF;KAS;DFJASDJF!!!!!!

Sorry.

No, not sorry.

WHAT THE HELL, BRO!?!

Abueva is a small forward who plays with the mentality of an attack dog. He does a little bit of everything, mind games and theatrics included, to ensure victory. This guy is ruthless. He is passion personified. He has Marc Pingris’ heart and hustle backed up with actual basketball skills (we love Pingris, but no one would ever call his offensive repertoire as A grade).

Who took Abueva’s spot?

We are looking at the NBA D-Leaguer and 2x UAAP MVP Ray Ray Parks, Jr.

We will break this down, again, on a separate piece.

Abueva would’ve been golden for Gilas, playing in front of thousands of Filipinos wearing that blue, white and red jersey.

He would scrap, scratch and claw at guys 6”7 and up, if only to secure a single, meaningless rebound in a meaningless game. He would play full throttle and be a spark for Gilas, when the flow of the game is not in our favor.

He would introduce chaos. One that embodies Pinoy helter-skelter basketball. And we would win because of it.

To both men, Tenorio and Abueva, there should be and there is NO shame in being cut from Gilas 4.0.

Bounce back strong.