PBA: As his ‘Iron Man’ streak ends, LA Tenorio vows to come back stronger

FILE – Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—The “Iron Man” streak may be over for Ginerba’s LA Tenorio but his vision is set to start another streak anew. 

On Thursday afternoon, Tenorio took to Twitter to acknowledge his achievement of playing 744 straight games for the PBA before getting it broken by a groin injury.

“17 straight years playing in the PBA is truly a great blessing for me and my family. I am truly grateful to God for giving me that strength to play 744 straight games in front of millions of Filipinos all over the world but streaks are bound to end eventually and sad to say it started last game,” told the veteran cager.

“To all PBA fans and of course, Ginebra fans, thank you for all the prayers and nice messages. [I] really appreciate your love and appreciation for the sacrifices I’ve made in my career for the past 17 years.”

Tenorio developed a sports hernia during the Finals of the PBA Commissioners’ Cup tournament last year.

The 38-year-old player stormed through pain in the games of the Governors’ Cup but aggravated the hernia prior to the Gin Kings’ clash against Meralco on Wednesday, making him absent in the affair where Ginebra won, 112-107.

In the current season-ending conference, Tim Cone visibly limited Tenorio’s court presence, having him play only six games where he averaged 2.3 points and 1.3 assists per game.

He was hugely instrumental for the Gin Kings in the past conference, however, having started 21 of their 25 games and posting norms of 8.1 markers and 3.3 dimes a night.

His streak, the longest ever made by a PBA player, may be broken but the team captain is adamant about starting the streak anew once he returns to the hardcourt.

“As I promise, I will come back stronger and I will make another streak. Maraming salamat sa inyo! P.S. I am not retiring yet (Iron Man 1 just ended, Iron Man 2 is still coming).”

Tenorio is likely out for the season. Currently, Ginebra is sitting pretty in the third seed with a 5-2 record.