It was a moment to remember for LA Tenorio when he was crowned the PBA’s new Iron Man on Sunday. He achieved the feat in front of the legendary Alvin Patrimonio, the previous record-holder of consecutive games played.
Tenorio and Patrimonio were both at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Magnolia Hotshots – where Patrimonio serves as the team’s manager – figured in yet another Manila Clasico tiff.
Tenorio’s Gin Kings won, 97-93, making it a sweet night for him.
“I’m blessed to witness yung na-accomplish ni LA,” the 52-year-old Patrimonio said. “He deserved the award kasi start of his career pa lang up to now, whereas nung ako middle of my career na nagawa yung consecutive games.
“Dapat hindi na siya Tinyente. Captain na siya dapat.”
Patrimonio became the league’s Iron Man when he topped Dante Gonzalgo’s record of 270 consecutive games played. He would go on to play 326 straight games more to reach 596, or until his final PBA game back in 2004.
“Ganda ng trend eh, Ginebra tapos Purefoods tapos Ginebra,” he said.
“Sino kaya next?”
With the way Tenorio achieved the record that stood for 15 long years, the four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Patrimonio is confident that the 34-year-old guard will continue playing consecutively as long as he can.
“I believe mas tatagal pa yan,” Patrimonio said. “As long as he’s playing in the PBA, siguro kaya na niya straightin na yun.
“Andun na yung momentum eh, and alam na niya more or less kung paano niya alagaan katawan niya.”
