LA Tenorio hit yet another career milestone during Barangay Ginebra’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup face-off against the Blackwater Elite, Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The 34-year-old floor general became the seventh player in the league’s history — and second among active players next to two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap — to hit 1,000 three-pointers.
He has now taken over Mick Pennisi on the list led by his former Gilas Pilipinas teammate Jimmy Alapag.
Tenorio also became the seventh player in league history — and second among active players next to do-it-all point guard Chris Ross of the San Miguel Beermen — to have 800 career steals.
Tenorio accomplished both of his achievements in just the first quarter of the match, which the Gin Kings won, 101-93, to rack up their fourth straight win in the season-ending conference.
With this, the 13-year league veteran out of Ateneo De Manila feels blessed and honored at the same time.
“It just shows na I’ve been in the league for quite a while. It’s an honor. I’m very honored and very blessed to be part of a group of players na na-achieve din ‘yung milestone na ‘yun,” he said.
“I don’t know what to say, but thankful ako sa mga blessings na dumadating, sa tiwala ng teams na pinupuntahan ko when I started playing in the PBA. Naging part ng milestone ‘yun.
“I’m just very honored and thankful. Hindi naman tumitigil ‘yun, tuloy-tuloy pa. Bibilangin pa ni sir Fidel [Mangonon, PBA statistics chief] ‘yun. Sana marami pang mabilang,” added Tenorio, who played for San Miguel and Alaska before.
This season has also seen Tenorio become the league’s new Ironman. Back in March, he had played 597 consecutive games, surpassing the 596-game streak of four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio.
The 5-foot-9 guard has now played 627 straight games — and counting — following Friday’s match.
Now that he has hit another feat, he plans to celebrate this as well.
“Personally, ‘yung sa Iron Man, medyo para sa akin, kaya ko cinelebrate ‘yun, parang it’s a celebration of life also eh, na parang hindi ako naii-injure. This one siguro, yeah,” he said.
“Wednesday ngayon so Wednesday club. I’m going to go there and celebrate with my friends.”
