LA Tenorio took pride at his longevity after nearly setting a record by playing 56 minutes in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's 100-92 victory over Rain or Shine in Friday's PBA Philippine Cup elimination round finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tenorio endured struggles aided by fatigue after scoring 20 points but committing eight turnovers as Ginebra survived a gruelling contest to arrange a best-of-three quarterfinal series against the same Rain or Shine squad.
"With my age right now, 33, my mileage, not missing a single game, it's truly a blessing for me," Tenorio said after playing for the 543rd consecutive time, second all-time behind Alvin Patrimonio's mark of 596 straight games.
The 12-year veteran, who has never missed a game since joining the league, nearly set league and franchise records during the PBA's 12th triple overtime match.
His 56-minute stint became the fourth highest among local players. Kerby Raymundo is the record holder with 61 minutes in Purefoods' triple-overtime game with Talk 'N Text in 2006, followed by Jun Limpot (60 for Sta. Lucia against San Miguel in 1993) and Robert Jaworski (58 for Ginebra opposite Manila Beer in Game 4 of the 1986 PBA Open Conference Finals).
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Jaworski shares the Ginebra franchise record together with legendary imports Michael Hackett and Billy Ray Bates. The three played without relief in that Open Conference Finals game that ended with Ginebra beating Manila Beer, 145-135, in double overtime.
Ginebra would eventually clinch its first championship in five games. (JT)
