Ginebra Gin Kings guard LA Tenorio in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Meralco Bolts. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines— LA Tenorio served as the game-changer for Ginebra’s series-tying win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Friday.
Other than helping the series back to square one with a 2-2 deadlock, Tenorio was also hailed as the game’s best player for the Gin Kings–the first time for the veteran guard since 2022.
“I’m just happy that I’m back here but more than that, I gave the team some lift and we won this game,” said Tenorio. “Of course, I’m happy after everything that happened to me, I’m just grateful just to be part of this semifinals game, I’m really happy.”
READ: PBA: Ginebra bounces back, ties semis series vs Meralco at 2-2
Tenorio returned to action in December 2023 after his battle with colon cancer. He last got the player of the game honors when he led the Gin Kings to a victory over the Bay Area Dragons in the Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup Finals with 22 points.
On Friday, Tenorio didn’t quite score like he did two years prior, but he filled the stat sheet with seven points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
But the lack of points didn’t bother 39-year-old guard, especially since he thinks that there’s no need to prove anything to anyone anymore.
READ: PBA: Trailing 2-1, Ginebra ‘can’t play the same way’ vs Meralco
“To be honest, I think I don’t have to prove anything anymore. You know what I can do and honestly I don’t have to prove anything anymore. My role now in this team is really to be a leader, inside and outside the playing court.”
“This is the time where younger players need me more so I have to give credit also to my teammates because they listen to me.”
Despite the semifinals going to a virtual bestr of three, Tenorio knows that the job’s not finished for Ginebra just yet.
“I’m not going to be content with this win. We also want to move forward and win against them in the next game.”