PBA okays deal that sends LA to Ginebra

LA TENORIO is headed to crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra after the Office of the PBA Commissioner yesterday green-lighted a five-team, multiplayer deal that also involves two-time MVP Willie Miller of Barako Bull.

The deal will see Ginebra’s Enrico Villanueva going to Barako Bull for Miller, who, in turn, will be shipped to Global Port together with the Gin Kings’ 2013 first-round Draft pick for JV Casio.

Casio and the Batang Pier’s 2015 second-round pick will go to Alaska for Tenorio, who has made no secret of his desire to continue playing for the national team.

Alaska also acquired shooter Dondon Hontiveros from Petron Blaze in a different deal, in exchange for Wesley Gonzales and third-year forward Hans Thiele.

Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, the Alaska owner, wished his former starting point guard well, saying they dealt Tenorio away because they believe “JV (Casio) can bring a lot of dynamism to our team and has the youth for a long career at Alaska.”

Uytengsu, in a statement released to media after the deal was approved by commissioner Chito Salud, also denied reports that management had asked Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Mac Baracael not to join the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team in Taipei.

Tenorio rejoins coach Siot Tanquingcen, who was San Miguel Beer’s coach when the Beermen dealt him to Alaska for Mike Cortez.

Tenorio shone for Smart Gilas and was named MVP of the 34th William Jones Cup, where he played hero in the Filipinos’ final two victories, including a nail-biting 76-75 escape over the United States last Sunday.

A clause in Tenorio’s Alaska contract allows him to play for the national team, and it would be interesting to see if he can suit up for the Fiba Asia Cup two weeks from now in Japan.

James Yap and Marc Pingris of B-Meg and Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot of Petron—teams belonging to the San Miguel Corp. umbrella—all did not play for the national team despite their inclusion in the pool.

“I really asked for that clause in my contract,” Tenorio had told the Inquirer in an earlier interview.

Tenorio neither answered phone calls nor replied to text messages yesterday, although he posted a farewell message to Alaska and its fans on his Twitter page yesterday.

Tenorio also tweeted that he was engaged in a Smart Gilas function at presstime.