LA Tenorio had his first start for Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Meralco Friday night.
And to think he wasn’t able to practice with the team for two days after a quick trip to Singapore for his regular health checkup.
“Actually, Monday and Tuesday I was in Singapore. I didn’t practice before the Dasmarinas game for my regular every three-month checkup. I cannot miss that, blood test and checkup,” said Tenorio following the Kings’ lopsided 90-71 win over the Bolts at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ LA Tenorio sparks Game 4 romp as Ginebra ties Meralco at 2-2
“Balikan lang ako. Monday alis ako ng umaga. Balik ako ng Tuesday ng hapon. So I thought I’m not gonna play. Siyempre hindi ka nag-practice, just to be fair.”
But he did suit up in Game 3 at the Dasmarinas City Arena on Wednesday that ended in an 87-80 loss. He was inserted back to the starting unit two days after and presided over a strong start for the Kings, who never trailed the entire match.
He finished with seven points, four rebounds, and six assists while earning his first-ever Best Player of the Game honor since Game 1 of last season’s Commissioner’s Cup finals between Ginebra and guest team Bay Area Dragons.
But the erratic game of the Kings in Game 3, according to the veteran point guard, gave him the opportunity to play as coach Tim Cone tried to find a spark from the Ginebra bench.
“Siguro si coach talaga after that loss he really thought of starting the vets, to stabilize the game, to control the game,” said Tenorio.
The end result had the Kings tying the best-of-seven series at 2-2 heading into Sunday’s Game 5, also at the MoA Arena.
And the additional good news, too, was Tenorio’s medical checkup also turned out to be a clean bill of health.
LA so thankful
“Everything is good, thank God,” said the Ginebra guard, who has already been cleared of his colon cancer. “I’ll be back again in three months, which PET scan naman, which is also crucial. But everything is OK. Nasa five-year (remission) kasi ako.
“Last year lang ako nagka-cancer. And now I’m playing (again). So really thankful, araw-araw na dasal na nakaka-paglaro ako sa ganitong level of competition.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
