Best Point Guard: Alapag or Tenorio?

It saddens me that the PBA or whatever local sports show out there (even the showbiz-styled reporting of one Quinito Henson) continues to fail in highlighting small rivalries. If the league only had enough creativity to think out of the box (they hit rock bottom in trying to lure basketball fans with “Mr. Pogi” tarpaulins all over EDSA) and rekindle the “I-miss mo!” promotional campaigns of yesteryears, then I’m pretty sure that the PBA will enjoy a continued growth in fanbase—young or old.

Noli Eala, for all his shortcomings, scratched the surface when he revived the “King of the Hardcourt” one on one tournament years ago. Sadly, the players we wanted to see didn’t give it their all (no way Kerby Raymundo would beat Asi Taulava one on one, or Chris Calaguio over Mark Caguioa had those guys chosen to bring their A games).

That being said, it would be nice if someone could come up with “rivalries” or “best player today” arguments that could and definitely would help spice up the league and games. It all comes down to a simple fact that we Filipinos can’t deny (some do, but only because they’re hypocrites): we love drama.  So until someone comes up with hearty topics/articles that add to the game, this writer will make it his personal mission to bring out “VS” entries, starting with the game’s most important position: POINT GUARD.

Jimmy Alapag (Talk N Text)

Philippine Cup 2010-11 averages (in 3 games):

mpg 27.0, ppg 12.0, apg 5.33, spg 0.67, rpg 2.33, topg 2.0

Alapag continues to be the barometer for point guards: can control tempo, shoot from deep, penetrate, protect the basketball and command respect from his teammates and peers. Despite Talk N Text's powerhouse rotation, Alapag continues to be the one constant for head coach Chot Reyes.  In case anyone’s wondering if Alapag’s non-selection in last year’s RP team coached by Yeng Guiao has anything to do with age—it doesn’t. Guiao’s just wired stupidly that way from time to time. There hasn’t been a point guard in the last five years who has played at such a high level as Alapag, knowing when to takeover, and when to let his teammates shine. To his credit, Alapag has gone from a speedster to a complete player with a deadly stop and pop shot all the way from the three point line. If Alapag has one weakness, it would be his temper, but then again, whenever he gets angry, he drills in three after three after three (ask Arwind Santos).

L.A. Tenorio (Alaska Aces)

Philippine Cup 2010-11 averages (in 3 games):

mpg 37.67, ppg 13.67, apg 2.67, spg 1.67, rpg 1.33, topg 2.67

Is Tenorio really THAT good to draw comparisons with Alaska legend and PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Abarrientos? In three games, Tenorio has scored the ball better than Alapag but has also shown a knack for turning the ball over. The assists are down simply because he plays in the dreaded Triangle Offense—which is every SKILLED point guard’s worst nightmare (ask Gary Payton) and a role player’s dream. I’d say that Tenorio’s showing flashes of brilliance, but Abarrientos he is not. Tenorio plays more like Ronnie Magsanoc, smart with the basketball, delivers crisp passes, and picks his spots on the floor—all in a very controlled manner (which basically rules out any Tenorio-Racela comparisons). The biggest tell-tale sign here is Tenorio’s inability to get in and out of traffic in the halfcourt set where players are forced to move laterally. From point A to point B, Tenorio’s one of the best out there, but when you ask him to shuffle his feet and run in a tight, zigzag pattern, Tenorio is almost sure to turn the ball over by slowing down enough for his defenders to catch him.

The verdict:

Right now, I’d rank Alapag at one and Tenorio at a far two, skills-wise.

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