Although he described it as a “touch and go” situation, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone keeps his faith that LA Tenorio would be available right off the bat in the PBA season resumption this Sunday.
The league’s most accomplished mentor confirmed the report by Tiebreaker Times Sunday that the 5-foot-9 floor general underwent an appendectomy last week, which would need at least two weeks’ time of recovery.
Given his status, his Ironman streak might be in danger, meaning that his record of 641 consecutive games played could see its end. Tenorio has not missed a single game since entering the league in 2006.
The Batangueno point guard, though, is hoping that he could keep his streak going, according to Cone. And the American bench tactician strongly believes that Tenorio is more than capable of doing so.
“Yes, he had his appendix removed a week ago and is hoping to be well enough to continue his Ironman streak. It will be touch and go, but if anyone can do it, it will be LA,” Cone told Tiebreaker Times, Monday.
Tenorio has yet to enter the PBA bubble at the Clark Freeport Zone along with star big man Japeth Aguilar, who, according to reports, is still undergoing rehabilitation from an old injury.
The former Gilas Pilipinas teammates are expected to enter soon, though, according to Cone. Tenorio is seen to arrive by Oct. 7 — four days before the season opener — with Aguilar set to follow soon.
“We expect LA to come up on the 7th and we’re hoping Japeth will be soon to follow. We expect Japeth to miss the first couple of games, but LA may be available for the first game,” the 22-time champion coach said.
The distinguished Ateneo de Manila products have played major roles in the Gin Kings’ four championship victories in the last four years under Cone, who took over the Barangay’s coaching reins back in 2015.
Tenorio, 36, was crowned the PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player in Ginebra’s Governors’ Cup conquests in 2016 and 2017, while Aguilar won his own when the crowd darlings lorded over the season-ending tilt last season.
And both cagers are expected to lead the storied franchise once more in this compressed Philippine Cup at the former US military base, which will be the lone conference to be played this Season 45.
