SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — LA Tenorio is just one win away from finally getting his hands on the prestigious PBA Philippine Cup, now that his Barangay Ginebra is up 3-1 over TNT Tropang GIGA in the best-of-seven Finals.
Sure, the 34-year-old already has a fistful of championships, but the league’s crown jewel remains missing in his rich collection.
All his titles have come from import-laden conferences. His first taste of gold was in the 2010 Fiesta Conference with Diamon Simpson and Alaska, before winning four more with Justin Brownlee and the Gin Kings.
He has had chances in the past to quench his thirst to succeed in the all-local tilt. The last came in 2017. Unfortunately, Ginebra ran into June Mar Fajardo and San Miguel Beer, losing 4-1 in the Finals.
A breakthrough now beckons for Tenorio in Game Five on Wednesday. The 14-year league veteran didn’t deny that the thought of it excites him, but he doesn’t want to look too far ahead.
“Yes, may excitement na nararamdaman,” the 5-foot-9 floor general told Tiebreaker Times the day after powering the Barangay to a 98-88 victory in Game Four, where he fired 22 points on four triples.
“Malapit na nga ‘yung opportunity to win the All-Filipino, but kailangan ko pa rin, personally, na labanan ‘yung ganung mindset. Kasi the more na isipin ko, the more na mawawala lang ako sa focus – especially sa Wednesday’s game. Para sa’kin, as long as hindi ko nahahawakan ‘yung trophy, hindi muna ako magiging excited.”
Tenorio’s sights are locked in on Game Five and Game Five alone. There, he anticipates a vengeful retaliation by the Tropang Giga.
The former Best Player of the Conference is wary of TNT’s capabilities, even if its manpower has taken a big hit following the injuries of Ray Parks and now Jayson Castro, who got hurt in the third quarter of Game Four.
His former Gilas Pilipinas running mate exited early in the said chapter, but the Tropa still gave Ginebra a major scare late. They came back from as much as 18 down to knock to within just three points in the last three minutes.
“I’m not really looking beyond Wednesday’s game. Ang iniisip ko ngayon is kung papaano naman paghahandaan ang pagbabalik ng Talk N Text,” he said. “Kasi ang Talk N Text, kulang man sila or kumpleto sila, they play the same way.
“I mean, marami pa rin silang firepower. Karamihan dun ay mga beterano rin. So ‘yun lang muna ‘yung iisipin ko. ‘Yun ‘yung challenge sa akin ngayon – today, tomorrow, until Wednesday’s game.”
