LA Tenorio felt blessed playing for another PBA championship with Barangay Ginebra just a year after his playing career seemed to be over.
The veteran playmaker will be gunning for his ninth title including eight with the Kings, who tangle with defending champion TNT Tropang Gig for the Season 49 Governors' Cup crown starting this Sunday.
Tenorio,40, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer early last year that made him missed the 2023 Governors' Cup finals between the same teams. TNT dethroned the Kings, 4-2, in the title series.
But after making a comeback last year, the former Ateneo standout will now play in his first finals since dealing with a career-threatening health issue.
"I'm just happy again to be back in the finals, to be still part of the Ginebra team, and to be part of this finals. Sobrang still blessed after everything that happened to me" said the long-time Ginebra team captain.
Sponsored content: With the arrival of top rookie RJ Abarrientos and the acquisition of last season's Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt, Tenorio's playing time with the Kings has considerably shrunk.
But the native of Nasugbu, Batangas isn't complaining, having been accepted his new role once he made a comeback.
'It's my first time in the finals to have a different role with the team. And I'm excited for that," Tenorio acknowledged.
With less playing time but enjoying one of the best seats in the house, the Ginebra guard said he'll try to watch and learn from the two best coaches in the league in Ginebra's Tim Cone and Chot Reyes of TNT.
And then there's too, the exciting import matchup between TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ginebra's very own Justine Brownlee.
Sponsored content: "Looking forward to great games ahead of us. I'm sure mag-e-enjoy lahat ng fans," added Tenorio. (RG)