Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Cracking the top 15 of the PBA’s career assists ladder, LA Tenorio couldn’t help but accept the realities that come with the every milestone.
“That means I’m getting old,” Tenorio said with a chuckle after dishing out seven dimes in Ginebra’s 104-97 victory over GlobalPort on Sunday to pad his career assist total to 2,464, good for 15th all-time.
Tenorio’s assist to Kevin Ferrer’s trey in the third quarter moved him past Gerry Esplana as he now looks forward to overtaking another legend in Ricardo Brown at 14th with 2,480 dimes.
But for the 12-year-veteran, he admits that milestones like this means more the longer you stay in the league.
“These milestones come unexpected and I’m very honored for this. It’s a blessing for me, an achievement that makes you want to show the people more of what you can do — especially as a point guard where we’re gauged by the assists, on how we can deliver to our teammates and make them look good every game,” he said.
It also humbles Tenorio knowing that he’s in the same conversation as the likes of legends in Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Johnny Abarrientos, former foes like Jimmy Alapag and Alex Cabagnot, and even Ginebra assistant coach Olsen Racela.
“I’m thankful and very honored to be part of the top 15. To be a member of that group, it’s really an honor to be there,” he said.
Despite the achievement, Tenorio wants the honor to be set aside as he focuses on his bigger goal with the Gin Kings.
However, he’s discounting the possibility of climbing up the ladder as his career goes on that could get him to the top 10.
“We’ll see. We’ll be able to achieve that if we just continue playing every game. We just have to pray that there won’t be injuries, but we’ll make it as long as we’re playing,” he said.