Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio has won five PBA titles, a Best Player of the Conference award and is a three-time PBA Finals MVP. He is apparently not done yet as he seeks more challenges in his basketball career.
“I’m on my 15th year, going on 16th. Gusto ko rin habulin yung 20 years,” Tenorio said in a recent interview referencing the 20-year career of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Tenorio joined the league with the San Miguel Beermen as the fourth overall pick of 2006. He was traded to the Alaska Aces in 2008 and then to Ginebra in 2012.
“May famous quote si Boss (Fred) Uytengsu (Alaska team owner), ‘Good enough never is.’ Kay Kobe, di ‘pwede good. Let’s try for greatness. Yung influence niya sa team niya, kung papaano siya mag-work, gusto niya yung team ganun din. Let’s try for greatness,” said Tenorio.
It’s not surprising that Uytengsu’s words still resonate with Tenorio. He joined the league in 2006 but won his first title with the Aces. He helped the squad win the 2010 Fiesta Cup crown. In the process he also won the PBA Finals MVP Award.
Tenorio earned another accolade March, 2019 when he established a new PBA record for most consecutive games played at 597 which eclipsed the previous mark of 596 set by Alvin Patrimonio.
Tenorio says it took discipline and hard work to stay in shape for that long. He hopes to add more games to his tally as soon as the PBA resumes its calendar of activities.
Tenorio joined Ginebra in 2012 but the team did not win another PBA crown until Tim Cone took over the coaching reins in 2015.
The two teamed up beautifully to help power Ginebra to PBA championships as the team went on to win the 2016 Governors’ Cup, the 2017 Governors’ Cup, the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup and just last year the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
Ginebra was the heavy favorite to crowd defending champion San Miguel Beer for the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup but the quarantine restrictions cut short all league activities.
Tenorio hopes things return to normal soon but in the meantime is taking care of his health during this Covid-19 pandemic to make sure he returns fit and ready when PBA resumes activities.
“Nag-mumumog ako ng warm water na may asin tapos sa gabi gargle ulit ng pangtanggal ng bacteria sa lalamunan,” said Tenorio in another published interview.
The Ginebra veteran is not yet done and has more goals to pursue. He is doing everything to stay fit and healthy including regularly gargling warm water with salt.
