LA Tenorio already owns the PBA Ironman record for most number of consecutive league games played.
In a couple of years, Jimmy Alapag expects Tenorio to secure another milestone.
"LA has a Hall of Fame career, so I'm not surprised at all," the now-retired Alapag said when asked about his former backcourt partner at Gilas Pilipinas moving up the PBA three-point scoring ladder to threaten his all-time record.
[READ: The long, long wait for the next Allan Caidic]
Alapag owns the all-time record with 1,401 threes made in a 13-year PBA career that ended in 2016, by which time he had well surpassed Allan Caidic (1,242), who is widely regarded as the best shooter in league history.
In the ongoing Commissioner's Cup, Tenorio has moved past Ronnie Magsanoc (1,171) and James Yap (1,178) to move up to No. 3 all-time - not bad for a guard who has been known as a slasher and playmaker more than a three-point threat in his career.
The Barangay Ginebra guard's total currently stands at 1,182. At his current pace of three-pointers made per game, Tenorio may need two to three more seasons to claim the record, by which time he'd be either 40 or 41.
Alapag expects Tenorio to do it before he retires.
"He's still playing at a high level so I think he has a great chance to be the PBA all-time three-point leader," Alapag, now an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings' G League affiliate Stockton Kings, said.
Tenorio has played in more games (730) compared to Caidic (598) and Alapag (601) and his three-point accuracy (.331) pales in comparison to both (Alapag was a career .371 shooter from three and Caidic .368).
But it is a testament to his work ethic and dedication that Tenorio turned himself into a three-point threat in the course of his career, Alapag said.
"I think it just speaks of his work ethic and professionalism," he said. "Maybe he's not recognized as a three-point shooter early in his career, but he's showing what all his hard work has done for his game and his career.
"I have no doubt the record is just within reach for him."
[READ: Alapag, Yap, Caidic make up Jeff Chan's list of greatest PBA shooters]
For Alapag, Tenorio breaking the record is no longer a question of if but of when. And once that time comes, the former PBA MVP hopes to be at ringside watching his Gilas pal reach the milestone.
"Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to be there when he breaks the record," he said.
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