LA Tenorio is motivated to win a PBA championship more than ever.
The 38-year-old Barangay Ginebra team captain found himself away from family this holiday season as the start of the Commissioner's Cup finals fell exactly on Christmas Day at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The entire family of the veteran guard happened to spend Christmas in Osaka, Japan, leaving the head of the Tenorio household home alone this holiday season.
"Nung (Dec.) 22 pa sila umalis. And balik sila by (Dec) 29," he said.
"So this is the first time I really spend Christmas away from my family."
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That feeling of solitude certainly brought the best out of Tenorio, who presided over Barangay Ginebra's 96-81 demolition of Bay Area Dragons to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
The 5-foot-9 guard was 9-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range, and added two rebounds and three assists which he fashioned out before a crowd of 18,252 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"Added motivation for me na hindi ako nakasama doon," Tenorio said. "Might as well win this thing."
But Tenorio understands the situation, knowing well that he has a job to do.
Good thing, his family feels the same way, too.
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"Being a professional, this is part of our sacrifice," he said. "I just focused na every time we play in the playoffs, my family is being supportive about it.
"They really allow me to focus on what I have to do every playoffs." (RG)
