FIBA Asia Cup: Without Jimmy and Jayson, Tenorio leaning on Paul Lee, Kevin Alas at Gilas

Gilas Pilipinas point guard L.A. Tenorio is optimistic that new backcourt mates Paul Lee and Kevin Alas can step up and meet expectations as they forge ahead in their preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

The Philippines national basketball team is in Wuhan, China for the FIBA Asia Cup, where coach Chot Reyes will try out new players for the squad, including Rain or Shine stars Lee and Beau Belga, GlobalPort forward Jay Washington, Meralco slasher Jared Dillinger, and cadet pool members Alas and Garvo Lanete.

The team will miss the veteran backcourt Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, who were given time off to rest after a grueling PBA Governor's Cup.

"Actually, mahirap talaga, wala 'yung mga ka-buddy ko, pero nandiyan naman 'yung Paul Lee... I think he can fit in with our system," Tenorio said in an interview with sports scribes hours before flying off to Wuhan, China.

Lee had a spectacular debut in international competition, scoring 18 points on four three-pointers to Gilas to an opening 78-64 win over Chinese Taipei. Tenorio, who started at point guard for the Philippines, finished with 11 points and four assists, but struggled with six turnovers.

Preparing for battle

Even without the Gilas core, Tenorio thinks the taste of international play will help the team prepare for battles ahead.

"Malaking tulong sa amin 'to in preparation for the World Cup and the Asian Games," he said in the interview at the Gatorade water station during practice at the Meralco gym before leaving for China.

Tenorio said that except for a PBA championship title for his home team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, qualifying for the World Cup marks a highest point in his career, and the experience will make him mature further in the sport and as an athlete.

He counts himself as among the blessed few living the Filipino dream of competing in the global arena as a member of the national team.

Looking ahead

Beyond this year, however, Tenorio sees the FIBA Asia Cup as an opportunity to help develop the next batch of national stalwarts.



Tenorio has taken under his wing former Letran guard Alas, whom he described as versatile as a scorer and a point guard. Tenorio's advice to Alas? "To be confident on the floor."

Alas, for his part, looks to Tenorio for leadership on the floor, and says he's honored to share the court with the veteran point guard while playing for the flag. Alas will be taking the hardcourt even more often with — or perhaps against — Tenorio later this year as he is lined up to join the PBA draft.

Only the beginning

The FIBA Asia Cup is only the beginning of a grueling buildup for Gilas that will take them to the United States and Europe to prepare for the World Cup in Spain and the Asian Games basketball tournament in South Korea.

Already, Tenorio knows the odds facing the team, but assures that they're prepared to take on everything.

"We are not going to be the strongest, the talented, tallest," said Tenorio. "(But) we'll try our best." — JST, GMA News