LA Tenorio feels immensely grateful to the captains and representatives of PBA member teams for their cooperation to ensure that the 46th season will push through amidst new challenges brought about by the ongoing pandemic.
“Thankful ako kasi nag-cooperate din sila,” the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star told The Game on One Sports+, Tuesday evening.
“Everyone is willing to play. Whatever it takes, makapaglaro and matuloy ang PBA.”
The league had to pause the 2021 Philippine Cup last August 4 in compliance with health and safety protocols, with host Pasig City and the National Capital Region placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine last August 6-20.
That implementation of the strictest lockdown measure was brought about by the spread of the more virulent Delta COVID-19 variant.
All the league’s activities were suspended, including team scrimmages. And it was in the earlier part of the sudden halt that made Tenorio come up with possible plans to help in the resumption of the all-Filipino wars.
“Habang naka-stop kami, [inisip ko na] we have to do something about it e. We cannot wait for this to finish,” he said. “Hindi natin pwedeng hintayin e, so andami ko nang naisip. Nag-isip ako kung anong pwedeng paraan.”
So, he began reaching out to the other players, particularly, he said, his former teammates in Gilas Pilipinas — namely Rain or Shine leaders Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, and NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena.
” I took the initiative to contact all my friends from the other teams, mga beteranong teammates ko before — from Gilas, like Gabe, Beau, Paul, and Kiefer, I talked to them,” said the former national team veteran.
And eventually, from his set of friends, Tenorio was communicating with the other team captains and team representatives.
“I started talking to all the teams eventually, all the team captains and representatives. Shinare ko lang ‘yung mga naisip ko for us to get going,” said the 37-year-old, who’s now in his 15th season in the league.
“I’m so thankful to all the players, the team captains and the veterans na kasama roon sa group na constantly kami naguusap for the past two to three weeks for us to start again.
“Ang dami naming ginawa for the past two, three weeks na na-stop ang PBA, dami namin napagusapan,” he added.
Soon, the ball finally got rolling, with the players willing to shoulder some of the expenses just to make sure that the league will plunge back into action.
“For us, it doesn’t matter who’ll shoulder the expenses. For us, the most important thing is now is the perfect time na makapaglaro kami.”
Now, the league is currently in Pampanga, with teams booked in their own places — either in hotels or villas — within the province. Some have also began their practices, with the conference resumption expected next week.
The PBA is still waiting for some approvals to finalize their return to play but Tenorio is just glad that they are about to hit the hardwood again soon.
“Tapos na NBA, tapos na Olympics, tapos na yung volleyball, siguro it’s time naman na kami mapanood ng tao. Medyo nakakalimutan na rin kami e, kahit ako everyday volleyball na pinapanood ko,” he quipped.
“With the cooperation of all the team members and the representatives, nabuo namin to. And ito na. Hopefully makapag-start na kami soon.”
