Where does LA Tenorio rank the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup championship among the six titles he’s won – so far – in his illustrious career?
For the 36-year-old, it’s up there at the top.
“With my six championships with Coach Tim [Cone], I think this is my number one,” he told Power and Play hosted by Noli Eala, Saturday.
For Tenorio, aside from it being his first-ever Philippine Cup crown, winning it amid the trials of the bubble environment made it more special.
“This is my first All-Filipino, plus PBA bubble, first-ever. We’re part of the history now of the PBA [with] the first-ever PBA bubble.”
Tenorio himself had to go through challenges, too. He underwent laparoscopic appendectomy just a few weeks before the restart.
He came into the bubble late because of that, although he did not miss the Gin Kings’ season debut and any game after that.
But according to head coach Tim Cone, at one point, Tenorio had to have his surgical wounds cleaned before a game due to bleeding.
Still, the PBA’s Ironman fought through all that. And how sweet it is, indeed, to be rewarded with a championship at the end.
And as the cherry on top, Tenorio received the Finals Most Valuable Player honors – the fourth time he’s won it in his career.
For Tenorio, he dedicates the title to his baby girl.
The 14-year league veteran didn’t spend much time with her, since he went under the knife and then went to the bubble shortly after.
“It was really hard for me because I have a newborn baby girl and the fact that before going to the bubble, I had a surgery,” he recalled.
But more than anything else, his biggest takeaway from the bubble season was having a family in the Barangay.
“I gained a new family. Not only teammates, but I gained family,” he said.
“Because you know, ‘pag natatalo ka, when you’re losing games, or even when you’re winning games, ang first na lalapitan mo is your family. And sa bubble, ‘yun ‘yung experience namin eh. When we lose and when we win, we turn to each other because we became family,” he continued.
“Talagang it’s a story to tell to my children talaga.”
