Tenorio Understands Why they were being Replaced by Benchers.

With Ginebra gazing at a major lead coming into the final quarter, head coach Tim Cone accomplished something strange he benched his first five.

The team's starters are normally anticipated that would also be the closers with just a single or two members from the seat replacing a few from the starting, yet Cone's strategies didn't appear to confuse the starters.

Ginebra was after 71-55 heading into the PBA payoff period of Game 5 of their semifinals series against Star in the semifinals, but Cone decided it best to have his bench players come inside the court for the last minutes.

And those weren’t even garbage time.

“That’s a strategy of coach Tim,” said Tenorio Friday at Mall of Asia Arena after losing to Star 89-80. “He knew this game wasn’t for us and I felt he already had a foresight of what’s going to happen.”

“He did that so the starters would be ready for the next game.”

Ginebra is currently one loss far from elimination with Star taking the 3-2 game lead.
In spite of the absence of its starters, Ginebra could wear down the lead with stars Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa initiating the charge.

Star made 82-66 lead with more than five minutes left in the fourth but the Fast and Furious duo scored nine points in the Gin Kings’ 14-5 run to cut the lead to 87-80.

For tomorrow's game. Brgy. Ginebra vs San Miguel Kings 5:00pm. Check our daily updates at Pinoy Tambayan.