PBA: Cariaso taps Tenorio, Urbiztondo, as Ginebra takes crash course on triangle offense

Teaching an intricate offensive system to a talent-loaded squad is already a challenge.

What more if you’re only given two weeks to prepare?

With the PBA Governors’ Cup less than two weeks away, new Barangay Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso has named LA Tenorio and Josh Urbiztondo as secondary coaches to expedite the learning process of the triangle offense.

After all, both playmakers have familiar with the proven system during their time with Tim Cone-coached teams - Tenorio at Alaska and Urbiztondo with the B-MEG/San Mig Coffee franchise.

“He wants us to be vocal, be a leader, because we don’t have much time and the more help that we can get from the players and the coaching staff, and the quicker that everyone understands it, the better for us,” Urbiztondo said on Monday when the team returned practice.

“He wants us to be the extension and help him out since we know the triangle very well,” added Urbiztondo, who won a title and had three Finals appearances with the Llamados, where he worked with Cariaso for almost two years.

Now, player and coach are reunited at Ginebra, which they hope to also help win a title under the offensive system designed by Tex Winter.

“It’s hard to scout the triangle because there are so many counters. I think the triangle will bring out the talent in our players and bring out the best in all the players, and the overall outcome will be positive, hopefully getting a championship,” Urbiztondo said.

“Everyone just has to believe in what we’re doing and be willing to learn,” he added.

Fellow point guard Jayjay Helterbrand, though, is in his first time to experience running the triangle, but he echoed Urbiztondo’s sentiment.

“So far, I think it will be a good fit for our team,” Helterbrand said. “All the players are moving, the ball’s moving, so it’s not focused on one particular player. Everyone’s got a chance to get the ball and score.” - Karlo Sacamos, SPIN