MANILA, Philippines – Even as the wild, confusing end game between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer drew most of the attention, LA Tenorio made it a point to laud the performance of their reserves.

Ginebra needed someone to step up as they continue to play sans Greg Slaughter and Joe Devance, both of whom are still out with injuries. Three straight losses sent them plunging into the middle of the standings heading into Sunday's game against the Beermen.

In the beginning, San Miguel looked as though it was going to run away with the win. The Beermen built a 16-point lead in the first half, and without Slaughter the Gin Kings simply had no answer for June Mar Fajardo.

Slowly but surely, however, Ginebra cut into the deficit. In the third period, they got their rhythm and seized control of the game. Then, they managed to hold off a furious rally by San Miguel in the closing minutes of the game for a 100-96 win.

For Tenorio, the victory was significant not just because it snapped their losing streak, or because they handed San Miguel its first loss of the Philippine Cup.

"I think more than the win ngayon, aside from winning against San Miguel, nakita ko dito 'yung pag-stepup ng bench," he observed.

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"Raymond (Aguilar), Jervy (Cruz), sina Kev (Kevin Ferrer), 'di ba?" he said. "Kasi kailangan talaga namin sila pagdating ng playoffs, or pagdating ng crucial ng games ng conference or ng season."

Most of the attention went to Aguilar, who defended Fajardo for nearly the entire game while still managing to score 16 points. But Cruz was also sensational, as he scored 10 of his 17 points in the payoff period to help the Gin Kings fend off the Beermen.

Both players shrugged off their contributions. "Sinabi lang ni coach, 'next man up,'" said Aguilar.

"Trabaho lang kami, kasi wala si Greg, wala si Joe, so kailangan mag-step up kami kasi three games na kaming talo," said Cruz, who also had seven boards and repeatedly burned SMB with his baseline jumpers in crunch time.

Yet Tenorio stressed that their less-heralded players should have their moment in the spotlight.

"I have to give credit sa kanila kasi they’ve been working hard in practice," said the veteran point guard, who still led the way for the Gin Kings with 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

"Maaga sila, nagi-individual skills sila. Nakikita ko 'yung potential talaga eh nakikita rin ni coach 'yun kaya siguro may tiwala din si coach sa kanila. Nagbubunga talaga 'yun eh," he added.

Tenorio is just hopeful that their reserves can still keep playing at a high level when they welcome back their stars – not just Slaughter, but also Devance and even Art dela Cruz.

"Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy. Personally, 'yun lang ang gusto ko, na makita mag-bloom 'yung second unit players namin kasi we need them more talaga every game," he said.

"Pag kumpleto na kami, diba, mas lalalim pa 'yung bench namin. This is really an opportunity for them na mag step up talaga," he also said.

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