Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio wants to get his hands on the prestigious PBA Philippine Cup trophy badly.
"I'm really determined to win the All-Filipino. Kung mana-naturalize lang namin si Justin (Brownlee and get him to play as a local), nakuha na namin ang All-Filipino. Ganoon ko kagusto makuha ang all-Filipino," said Tenorio, who brought up the next mission to coach Tim Cone just moments after the Gin Kings reclaimed the Governors' Cup crown.
The 13-year pro owns five championship rings in all but his collection feels incomplete without the PBA"s crown jewel
"Lahat ng championship ko with imports," said Tenorio, who has won four with Brownlee-reinforced Ginebra (2016, 2017 and 2019 Governors' Cup and 2018 Commissioners Cup) and one with Diamon Simpson-bannered Alaska (2010 Fiesta Conference).
"Iba kasi iyung all-Filipino. Alam naman natin yun. But it's not easy; kung mahirap itong pinagdaanan namin sa Governors' Cup, siguro mas triple pagdadaanan namin to get that championship," he added.
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Ginebra's winning performance gave the 35-year-old Tenorio confidence in the coming Philippine Cup wars.
"I think with the way we played as a team, especially on defense, (we'll have a chance). I hope madala namin ito sa all-Filipino," he said.
Tenorio is entering the new season on a high, having scored a "personal grand slam" in his yearend campaigns.
Middle of November, Letran assistant coach Tenorio savored the Knights' underdog triumph over erstwhile unbeaten San Beda in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Three weeks later, Tenorio fulfilled his Gilas Pilipinas duties and got rewarded with the Southeast Asian Games gold medal.
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To cap it off, Tenorio and the Gin Kings struck gold in the Governors' Cup.
"Sobrang blessed ako," said the pride of Batangas.
Tenorio had dedicated Ginebra's roaring triumph to his fellow Batanguenos who are affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
"Alam ko sobrang naghihirap sila ngayon, sana kahit paano, we put a smile on their faces," said the Ginebra star, who himself have relatives in Taal town.(OL)
